Hello to all..

..VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Starting at 12 PM EDT/1600 UTC Tuesday August 23rd, 2011 for Impact of Hurricane Irene on the Southeast Bahamas. Activation will take place on the *WX_TALK* Echolink Conference Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system for the duration of this event..
..WX4NHC-National Hurricane Center Amateur Radio Operations will also be active starting at 12 PM EDT/1600 UTC Tuesday August 23rd, 2011..

Hurricane Irene is a Category 2 hurricane and is expected to intensify into a Major Category 3 hurricane in the next 24 to 48 hours. Irene will be impacting the Bahamas over the next couple days. After that, Irene is a potential threat to the US East Coast from the Carolinas northward to New England.

For the latest advisory information including watches and warnings, you can go to the VoIPWXNet web site and click Atlantic Tropical Products and click on the advisory information for Hurricane Irene under the Atlantic Tropical Products section. You can also gather the advisory information from the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The reporting criteria and activation policy for our net during hurricane net activations can be found on our web site at http://www.voipwx.net and any reports received via relays or directly from Amateurs in the path of Hurricane Richard would be much appreciated.

Listen Only IRLP/EchoLink capability include the following systems (We ask that listen-only folks please provide this capability and connect by formal activation time if possible):

IRLP:
Reflector 9508 Sydney Australia Reflector channel 8.
Reflector 9129 New England Reflector channel 9.

EchoLink:
*KC4QLP-C* Node: 290251
*VKEMCOMM* Node: 270177
*N5API* Node: 77433
*KA1AAA* Node: 509403

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Hello to all..

Tropical Storm Irene has formed near the Leeward Islands with Maximum Sustained Winds of 50 MPH and is located about 190 Miles, 305 Kilometers east of Dominica. As of 7 PM ET, 2300 UTC Saturday, Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Vieques, Culebra, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maartin, Dominica, Barbuda, St Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Anguilla, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands. Hurricane conditions could occur in Dominican Republic late Monday. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Irene and be prepared to activate the VoIP Hurricane Net should hurricane conditions occur over portions of the Caribbean islands and pathways to gather information from the affected area exist. It is premature to know the threat for the US East Coast at this time but there is a possible threat there that should be monitored particularly over the Southeast US coast later in the week.

Tropical Storm Harvey made landfall in Belize earlier today. Harvey will continue to weaken with the biggest threat being heavy rain though some winds to tropical storm force remain possible. Harvey should degenerate and dissipate later Sunday or Monday.

Advisories on Irene and Harvey can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at http://www.voipwx.net under the Main Menu of the web site under Atlantic Tropical Products. Advisories can also be seen on at the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The system near the Cape Verde Islands is entering a more unfavorable environment for development and now only has a low chance, 20% of formation. Currently, weather models also keep the system well out at sea and a threat only to shipping interests.
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On Friday August 19th, 1991, New England was struck by Hurricane Bob, the last hurricane to directly strike this region causing significant damage to the Southeast New England coastline, flooding rains and wind damage throughout much of Southern New England. Friday August 19th, 2011 marked the 20th anniversary of this event. The National Weather Service in Taunton Massachusetts put out a Public Information Statement on Hurricane Bob and I also mentioned some other tropical system history since Hurricane Bob via a web posting at the NWS Taunton SKYWARN Home page. A link to the Hurricane Bob content is listed below:

http://www.wx1box.org/node/1234

New England does occasionally get hurricanes but it has been many years now so statements and commerations of anniversaries such as this one is a reminder to this region and to other areas along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts that have not received a landfalling hurricane in a number of years that they can happen and we should be prepared as we approach the peak of the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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Hello to all..

Tropical Storm Harvey continues to move towards Belize with little change in strength. Harvey will move into Belize later this afternoon or this evening as a strong tropical storm. There is still a low chance for Harvey to intensify into a hurricane but the chances are reduced as compared to last night.

In coordination with K4AG-John McHugh and WD4R-Julio Ripoll, coordinators for WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, they are monitoring Harvey’s progress but at this time, activation is not expected. In terms of the VoIP Hurricane Net, we’ll monitor various weather stations and storm bloggers and informally monitor the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system for any stations in the area but we will not plan a formal activation of the net. Our weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will take place as planned at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT/0000 UTC. If any Amateurs gather any information from contacts in Belize, we will try to have someone monitor the Echolink/IRLP system during the day or reports can be given via the weekly net this evening and that can be a place to handle this information.

Updates on the other potential areas of disturbed weather will be given later tonight and on the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net this evening. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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Hello to all..

The latest information on Tropical Storm Harvey, which was TD 8 Thursday Evening, now has him becoming a hurricane prior to landfall on the coast of Belize Saturday Evening. VoIP Hurricane Net Activation may occur if this forecast becomes valid. We are currently coordinating with the Amateur Radio Coordinators at the National Hurricane Center, Julio Ripoll-WD4R, and John McHugh-K4AG on this potential. This may pre-empt the regular session of the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net Saturday Evening.

Any Amateurs with contact with affected area or relays into the affected areas of Harvey are asked to relay any reports or contacts to the VoIP Hurricane Net Management team. Another update will be sent out around Midday Saturday. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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Hello to all..

The Atlantic Tropics remain active. Tropical Depression (TD) 8 has formed in the Western Caribbean Sea. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the coast of Guatamalea. TD 8 is near land but may reach Tropical Storm strength before interacting with land. There is also the possibility that TD 8 remains a depression and makes landfall. If it were to become a tropical storm, it would be named Harvey. In any case, this system is highly unlikely to reach hurricane strength prior to landfall though the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will monitor it closely. Advisory information on TD 8 is available on the voipwx.net web site under the main menu under Atlantic Tropical products. It is also available at the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Elsewhere in the tropics, a vigorous tropical wave has emerged off Africa and upper level winds and water temperatures are favorable for development and the system already has a medium chance for development. There will be heavy rains and gusty winds over the Cape Verde Islands from this system.

Another large tropical wave with limited shower activity is 1200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and has a low chance for development over the next 48 hours. Conditions after 48 hours, however, are expected to become more conducive for development.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor developments in the Atlantic Tropics. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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Hello to all..

Here is another update on the Atlantic Tropics.

A tropical wave in the Western Caribbean Sea has become better organized and while a reconnaisance aircraft did not find a closed circulation, the system now has a high chance for development into a tropical depression over the next 48 hours. Interests in the Western Caribbean sea should closely monitor the progress of this system.

A tropical wave in the eastern atlantic about 750 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands is now being monitored for development. It has a low chance for tropical cyclone development over the next 48 hours but conditions have the potential to become more favorable for development after 48 hours.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of these systems and the Atlantic Tropics in general. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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Hello to all..

Late Saturday Evening, Tropical Depression (TD) #7 formed and as of 2 PM ET Sunday, TD #7 has become Tropical Storm Gert, the 7th Tropical Storm of the Atlantic Season. Gert is expected to impact Bermuda as a Tropical Storm and a Tropical Storm Warning has been posted for Bermuda. Tropical Storm conditions are expected on Bermuda late tonight into Monday Morning. Gert is not expected to reach hurricane strength and after impact on Bermuda, he is expected to only be a threat to shipping interests. Nonetheless, the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Gert.

Franklin has become post-tropical over the North Atlantic. The post-tropical remnants will only be a threat to shipping interests.

Another trough of low pressure is situated 425 miles north-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. At this time, this system doesn’t have a closed circulation and its development is being impeded by its close proximity to Tropical Storm Gert. Nonetheless, this system has a medium chance, 30 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone and it will be monitored.

The system furthest south that was a few hundred miles southwest of the Cape Verde Islands has diminished and is currently no longer expected to develop. This system is no longer mentioned in National Hurricane Center Tropical Weather Outlooks.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor the Atlantic Tropics. The Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook and advisory information on Tropical Storm Gert can be seen on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products. The outlook and Gert advisories can also be seen at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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Hello to all..

TD #6 formed Friday Evening and gathered enough organization to be named Tropical Storm Franklin. Franklin is only a threat to shipping interests and is expected to weaken and become extratropical either later tonight or Sunday.

A low pressure system 425 miles southeast of Bermuda now has a high chance for development and interests Bermuda are being advised to closely monitor the progress of this system. This system will be watched closely by the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team concerning any impact to the island of Bermuda.

Another well defined trough of low pressure 525 miles Northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands is also showing signs of organization and has a medium chance for development. This will be out over the open ocean waters for several days away from land areas. Computer models depict the track of this system to remain over the open waters with some potential impact to Bermuda but it remains too early to tell where this potentially developing system may end up.

Yet another tropical wave is about 725 Miles Southwest of the Southern Cape Verde Islands has a low chance of development as current conditions are not that favorable but computer models predict that the environment will become more favorable over the next few days.

The Tropics are getting more active as we approach the peak of the season in September. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the Atlantic Tropics. The Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook can be seen on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products. It can also be seen at the National Hurricane web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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