History
S.S. United States
At 1318 CT today, the liner S.S. United States and her escort were about 6 miles off the Florida coast, headed South at about 4.3 knots. She’s making pretty good speed considering the proximity of the Gulf Stream current. She should be a magnificent sight for everyone along the coast today in the afternoon sunlight.
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History
S.S. United States
The SS United States finally left her berth at Philly under tow last Wednesday, headed for Mobile, AL for 'pre-sinking' prep. Amazing, that after all these years tied up on the Delaware River, and a 'rust bucket', she still looks dignified under tow. I remember seeing her underway back in the 1960's during her glory years, crossing the Atlantic, while on active duty with USCG. Brings back memories seeing her passing under the Walt Whitman bridge; been across that bridge many times while stationed at Cape May, NJ.
"After nearly three decades moored along Philadelphia’s Delaware River, the historic ocean liner SS United States embarked on its final journey, February 19, 2025. Departing shortly before 1 p.m. ET, the legendary vessel is en route to Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo preparations for its transformation into the world’s largest artificial reef off Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Wildwood Video Archive was on-board back in August. Check out those videos below. SS United States Ship Tour - • Exploring Inside the SS United States... SS United States Dock Drone Video - • Saying Goodbye SS United States - Dro... SS United States 360 Video - • SS United States VR Tour 2024 - 4K 36… "
Following her progress, at 1334 (CT) today, she was about 50 miles off the East coast of Florida, southbound at 5 knots.
We’ll be following her progress, along with her interesting story.
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Weather
Greetings from “The Sunshine State”
Mesoscale Discussion 0050 NWS
Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0203 PM CST Tue Jan 21 2025
Areas affected...southern Mississippi...southern Alabama...and the western Florida Panhandle Concerning...Heavy snow Valid 212003Z - 212300Z
SUMMARY...Moderate to heavy snow will continue through the afternoon. DISCUSSION...A broad area of snow continues to shift east and northeast into portions of southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle from Louisiana/southern Mississippi. Occasional sleet and freezing rain reports have occurred across the coast, but the main precipitation type has become snow area wide. Enhanced upper-level flow and 925-850 mb frontegenetic forcing are aiding in moderate to heavy snow production across these regions. Heavy snow observations have been reported from Gulfport, MS to Mobile, AL and into portions of southeastern Alabama over the last hour with visibility dropping to 1/4-1/2 mile. Guidance suggests snowfall rates may occasionally approach 1"/hr across southern Alabama near the Florida state line over the next 1-3 hours before tapering off later this evening as upper-level support shifts northward. ..Thornton.. 01/21/2025
Snow Total Shatters 100+ Year Old Record
January 22, 2025
Pensacola absolutely shattered a snow total record that had stood for over 100 years.
Before Tuesday, Pensacola`s 24-hour snowfall record was 3 inches set in 1895.
By Tuesday night, the unofficial total at Pensacola was 7.6 inches. That also exceeded the all-time record for the most snowfall ever in Florida of 4 inches recorded near Milton. However, once the official totals are in, Milton may continue to hold the Florida record after receiving 8.8 inches.
It will take a few days to verify the snow totals and verify which city now holds the state record.
Across the rest of Escambia County, snowfall totals from 8-10 inches were reported across the area, including Molino, Bratt, Walnut Hill, McDavid and Cantonment. These totals however, are not official calibrated gauge and won’t be state records.
Source: https://www.northescambia.com/2025/01/snow-total-shatters-100-year-old-record
Tuesday, 21 January 2025. an unusual day indeed, that one!
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Geography
What’s in a Name?
There is a proposal to rename this part of the Atlantic Ocean that we now call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Since territorial portions of this referenced body of water are claimed by more than one American country, it seems ontologically sound and reasonable that the official name should reflect that fact—which inadvertently brings us to the questionable practice of referring to our beloved USA as “America.”
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Weather
2024 Tropical Storm Threat
It’s Over…...
Remnants of SARA
Location: 19.5°N 91.9°W, Maximum Winds: 25 kt, Gusts: N/A Minimum Central Pressure: 1005 mb
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Weather
99L / Sara
Still ticking, this system that has been lingering in the Caribbean for several days now is headed across the Yucatan, and into the Bay of Campeche. One of the model forecast (UKX2) has the system making landfall near here next Wednesday with a windspeed of 34 knots; I consider that to be unlikely since the other model’s show scattered tracks and a variety of wind speeds. We might know more when the system gets established in the Gulf of Mexico.
Watching.
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Weather
99L AKA “Sara”
This system has become poorly structured and poorly organized. While some of the model track forecasts show it tracking toward the West coast of Florida, it will be a low-energy system—if it makes it that far.
Watching
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Weather
Genesis of 99L
The tropical system labeled 99L can be seen forming in the lower right of this satellite photo-series; the CCW banding is clearly visible in the following image:
Here is what the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) is forecasting for this system:
Here is what the National Hurricane Center has to say, currently, about this system/
[T]he system is expected to become a tropical storm within the next day or so and it is likely to bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to land areas within the next 36 to 48 hours. Therefore, the National Hurricane Center is initiating Potential Tropical Cyclone advisories for this disturbance. The initial motion is more uncertain than normal since the system is still in the formative stage, but the best estimate is westward at about 5 kt.
Once the system becomes better organized and develops an inner core, the environmental conditions appear favorable for strengthening. Thus, the NHC forecast shows strengthening while the system moves into the western Caribbean sea.
The system is forecast to approach Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico at or near hurricane strength by early next week where there is a risk of dangerous storm surge and damaging winds.
It is too soon to determine what impacts the system could bring to portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, the Florida Keys, and Cuba during the middle portion of next week. Residents in these areas should regularly monitor updates to the forecast.
NOAA/NHC
Watching.
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Weather
Invest 99L
We’re still not out of the woods as far as the 2024 Tropical Storm Season is concerned.
We’re eyeballing a low pressure area south of Jamaica that several of the model’s predict will eventually turn into a hurricane—with a track that hooks around the Western end of Cuba and makes landfall on the West coast of Florida sometime around 20 November.
Remembering what the renowned philosopher Lorenzo Pietro Berra said, "It ain’t over til' it’s over."
Watching...
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Firearms
Taurus 22 TUC
From Taurus USA, an interesting new variation of the venerable Beretta Bobcat.
The video oration is in error regarding the magazine capacity of this piece; the correct capacity is 9+1.
The only two advantages that I see that this has over the Beretta is maybe the sights, and certainly the MSRP. I’m a big fan of thumb safeties on pistols; I know, this thing is DAO, but it’s more than a belt and suspenders thing—over the years with me, working the thumb safety has become an unconscious part of the presentation.
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