Earlier today Tropical Storm Sandy did indeed develop into Hurricane Sandy, and has now made landfall in Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 85mph. Good news for the Dominican Republic – the large mass of thunderstorms now seems to have passed us by and/or dissipated, so although we’ve already has some rain and it’s still raining, it looks like the worst (for us) could already be over.
Later today (Wednesday October 24th), the core of Tropical Storm Sandy, soon expected to be Hurricane Sandy will pass across Jamaica. BUT be warned…… Tropical Storm Sandy is a “right-handed” storm – meaning that a tremendous concentration of thunderstorms are currently located to the South of Haiti and the Dominican Republic – and are heading this way!
So although the CORE of Tropical Storm / Hurricane Sandy will NOT affect the Dominican Republic – a significant number of thunderstorms (represented as nasty looking purple blobs) WILL cross over the country starting from this afternoon – bringing heavy rain and some wind.
Tropical Storm Sandy
The following is a summary of all the current facts and predictions.
FACTS:
• Tropical Storm Sandy currently has maximum sustained winds of 70mph
• The core of Tropical Storm Sandy is currently located to the SOUTH of Jamaica – but is moving NORTH at 18mph
• The Dominican Republic and HAITI are currently on an “ALERT” threat level – meaning that people in these countries should carefully monitor the progress of this Tropical Cyclone – and start preparing their homes for some unpleasant weather
PREDICTIONS:
• Tropical Storm Sandy is predicted to develop into Hurricane Sandy – by this afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 75 – 80mph
• Over the next few days Tropical Storm Sandy / Hurricane Sandy is expected to move North / Northeast across Jamaica, Cuba and then across Florida
• As the core of Tropical Storm Sandy / Hurricane Sandy moves NORTH, the bulk of thunderstorms and rainy weather – located to the EAST of the core (which is part of the Tropical Cyclone system) will also move NORTH – across Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Predicted path of Tropical Storm / Hurricane Sandy
So what does this mean for the Dominican Republic, La Romana and Casa de Campo?
• We already have grey skies….but from this afternoon we can expect the nasty core of thunderstorms to arrive (see large purple blob on the satellite image) – bringing rain, thunder, lightning and wind.
• In low-lying areas of the country heavy rain may cause flooding, flash-floods and landslides.
• Although high winds are not expected – heavy rain can cause problems (even in Casa de Campo) – so be prepared by bringing in your outdoor furniture and putting down towels around leaky windows and doors.
• Hopefully sunny skies will return by Friday, (if not Thursday) – fingers crossed!
DISCLAIMER: I am not a weather-girl
I’ve said it before – but I’ll say it again, my only “expertise” in weather predictions are a healthy (ish) fascination with the weather, combined with excellent “googling” capabilities!
KEEP INFORMED!
Whilst we at Casa de Campo Living will do our best to keep you informed, we recommend the following for keeping extra-informed:
• www.nhc.noaa.gov – The National Hurricane Centre
• www.weather.com – The Weather Channel
• ONAMET.gov.do – the Dominican Republic’s official weather warning people (this one is in Spanish)
• Twitter: We recommend following NHC_Atlantic – for regular tweets on hurricanes, tropical storms etc Photo Credit:www.weather.com – The Weather Channel
Hurricane Issac in Casa de Campo
On Friday the 24th of August 2012, the center of Tropical Storm Isaac passed approximately 150 miles to the south of the Dominican Republic, causing a storm surge of up to 5ft along the eastern coast of the country, which in Casa de Campo brought huge waves crashing into oceanside properties, the Teeth of the Dog golf course, Minitas Beach and the Marina Casa de Campo.
Spanish
