Tropical Storm Eta And This And That

Forecast tracks for Eta have in meandering around the
eastern Gulf of Mexico and harassing Florida for the 
rest of the week.

Tropical Storm Eta, - I've been calling it Zombie Eta after it came back to life near Honduras this past week - was making landfall in Cuba this morning with top winds of 65 mph or so. 

It's still expected to dump a LOT of rain on South Florida as it drifts over the Florida Keys by early Monday morning. So, yep! The United States gets to experience yet another tropical storm at the tail end of this busy hurricane season. 

Eta might actually achieve hurricane status with sustained winds of 74 mph or more.  The Florida Keys can expect winds at least gusting to hurricane force and some dangerous storm surge flooding in these low lying islands.

For good reason South Florida is under a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for tonight and early Monday. 

From there, Eta is forecast to drift pretty aimlessly in the eastern Gulf of Mexico for the rest of the week, creating a continued threat for the western coast of the Florida peninsula.  On the bright side, there's hope that Eta will gradually weaken out there in the Gulf, done in perhaps by strong upper level winds and dry air getting sucked into the system.

Of course, there's no guarantee Eta will weaken  like that.  Some forecast models keep it as a hurricane in the eastern Gulf of Mexico this week. 

As we well know,  tropical storms are often unpredictable, and the way this year has gone, anything can happen, right?

BLUE SKY HISTORY

I think everybody knows by now that history was made Saturday as Joe Biden was declared, at least by all the major media outlets, as the victor in this year's presidential election.

This prompted an outpouring of happy partying in numerous cities across the United States 

I was struck by the blue skies and warm temperatures that coincided with this  Two of the most historic days in my memory were like this.

People remember the dark day of 9/11 also hit on a gloriously blue sky day.  People still remember that sky.  Things were similar Saturday, but this time it was totally joyous. Though of course I do have to acknowledge the disappointment among Trump fans. 

However, history will most likely focus on the beyond-happy outbursts in many cities in the United States under those clear blue skies. Including here in Vermont. 

 RECORD HIGHS IN REGION

As expected, temperatures in and near Vermont are getting into record territory. In Montpelier, it reached 71 degrees Saturday, breaking the old record high for the date if 69 degrees, set during a similar long lasting November heat wave in 1975.

Plattsburgh, New York soared to 75 degrees, besting the old record of 71 degrees in 1948.

Forecasts continue to indicate more record highs will be set around here today, tomorrow and Tuesday.