Hurricane Sandy





Mornin'!  It's 61° in Wildwood.  Skies are clouded over before this ominous daybreak.  The winds are howling already at 25mph with gusting from the N-NE.  And, so it begins.  After a decent night sleep, I woke to the sounds of the winds.  No rains yet.  This will be my last blog for awhile.  www.weather.com or http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ is the place to go for now.  Today will be the beginning of the barrier island's mandated evacuation as 4p.m. is the deadline. My plan is to leave for Philly later this morning.  We're hunkered down now after working non-stop all day yesterday addressing the tasks at hand.  That includes outdoors as well as indoors.  And, even though the day was a back breaker, it's nothing compared to the mental anquish being forced away from it all and wondering how our home and the island will stand up to Sandy's forces.  It's all in Mother Nature's hands now.  Today will be the beginning.  Rains will begin later today as temps remain in the mid-upper 60's.  Winds prevail and continually increase in speed as the storm hits landfall late tomorrow evening.  It will pack a punch of 70+ mph winds as rainfall of 6-10" are predicted depending where you are.  The Full Moon is also tomorrow and will increase the tides.  My main tide chart reference is posting 15'-17' ocean waves during this time.  All those formulas combined for a sustained period of a couple days will do alot of havoc wreaking on the ol' island and I pray Wildwood will prevail.  Lord have mercy.  See ya back here mid-week!

High tide:7:53p.m.

Low tide:1:35p.m.

Ocean temp:63°
Sunset:6:03

A Literal "Calm before the Storm"

Mornin'!  It's 62° under cloudy skies and some breezy conditions out of the East (10-mph).  What do I say?  I was arrogant enough in August 2011 to say, "We actually did the evacuation of our lifetime."  But not so...as we're evacuating again tomorrow.  It's hard to explain your feelings when you look around your humble abode and think I may not see it this way again.  Today is hunker down day but hunkering is no match for Mother Nature as the ocean is 6 blocks away and the bay that's ½ block away.  Prayers and Xanax are what may see us through.  Today will literally be the calm before the storm as WW will be mild (upper 60's) with breezes staying 10-15mph from the East.  Tomorrow...the winds and rain will begin...Strong offshore winds at 30-40mph turning into galeforce winds Monday and continuing even stronger Tuesday.  My trusty surfing website posts that by Sunday night the wave heights will be 14-16' high which doesn't include the rain, full moon or high tide happening simultaneously.  There's nothing good to write about Hurricane Sandy or what folks are saying "Frankenstorm" I'm sorry to say.  It's in Mother Nature's hands.  Thankfully today will be an OK day to get 'er done.  And, that's what I'm about to do that's after I color my hair.  God Bless the Wildwoods.
High tide: 7:10p.m.
Low tide:12:51p.m.
Ocean temp: 63°
Sunset:6:05p.m.

Calm

Mornin'!  It's 61° in the Woods.  It's cloudy and quiet except for the roar of the ocean 6 blocks away.  We've begun the calm before the storm.  There's some apprehension and readiness in the sea air as the island's facing yet another major storm.  Whether we'll take a direct hit is still uncertain but we're going to take a hit.  Today will be mild with temps reaching the high 60's/low 70's.  We'll have a mix of sun and some clouds today.  Breezes from the East at 10mph.  As the end of today nears, so does the thicker clouds.  Tomorrow...a day of emergency management as it'll be much like today but with canvas awnings being removed as well as anything that can move outside will become removed, hunkered down and secured.  Sunday, Monday and Tuesday...no one seems to know exactly what's going to happen, but something will...as this rare, complex, atmospheric setup involving Hurricane Sandy and a huge, intense coldfront coming from the West will converge over the mid-atlantic states with a Full Harvest Moon thrown in the mix for good measure.  Wildwood's in for some intense sandblasting and flooding beginning Sunday.  For today...the calm before the "Perfect Storm"...their words; not mine.

High tide:6:20p.m.

Low tide:12noon

Ocean temp:63°

Sunset:6:06p.m.

Mostly dreary and gray

Mornin'!  It's 62° under thick, cloudy skies.  It's been like that since last evening.  It'll be mostly overcast with minimal peeks of sun throughout the day.  No rain is predicted yet.  It's coming; it's coming.  But today WW will have patchy fog, cloudiness and mild temps as they go up into the high 60s/low70s.  Breezes will be minimal at 5-10mph out of the East.  Tonight...pretty much the same with temps dropping into the 50s.  Looking like a washout for the weekend as Sandy's heading right for the east coast.  Now, where do I find waterproof halloween makeup?

High tide:5:32p.m.

Low tide:11:15a.m.

Ocean temp:63°

Sunset:6:07p.m.

Full Moon: Monday (not good with a Nor'easter heading here then)

End of Daylight Savings Time: Next Weekend

Indian Summer at the Shore Continues

Mornin'!  It's 63° under clear, starlit skies.  No breezes.  When I went outside first thing to check the ol' porch thermometer and the weather conditions, I saw that the sky was divided into two different sections.  One part was completely cloud covered and the other was clear and starry.  I just watched and waited and saw the massive, thick section of clouds was moving north and slowly clearing out.  I think the bright moon was taking part in the show as the clouds albeit thick and massive were bright white in the darkness as they slowly moved out.  Pretty cool.  Anyway, my bets are on a lovely, colorful sunrise in just over an hour from now.  It'll be another Indian Summer day at the shore.  It's been a gorgeous week in WW for anyone taking an Autumn vacation this year.  It'll be mostly sunny with temps will once again reach the high 60's/low 70's.  Breezes will be very light beginning from the West and shifting from the South later by mid-afternoon all at 8-10mph. 
High tide:4:36p.m.
Low tide:10:20a.m.
Ocean temp:63°
Sunset:6:08p.m.
Full Moon: 5 more days

Happy Birthday Jim!

Cape May Ferry Terminal Wine Festival 2012

Mornin'!  It's 54° under clear starry skies this early morn.  Breezes are nothing to write about.  It's going to be yet another lovely Autumn day at the Shore.  A perfect weather day for Jim's birthday!  Temps will get up into the upper 60's-lower 70's with mostly sunny conditions.  Just a pinch of clouds are thrown in the mix today too.  Breezes will be out of the West at 10mph and by this afternoon shift from the South.  Tonight...clear and down back into the 50's. 
High tide:3:36p.m.

Low tide:9:15a.m.

Ocean temp:64°

Sunset:6:10p.m.

Happy Birthday Jim.  Here's to you!  Hope it's a good one!

Lovely Start to the Week

Mornin'!  It's 55° in WW.  The sky is dark, clear and starlit.  (I had the good fortune to see a meteor fall from the sky Saturday night). The sunrise is 7:15a.m. this morning as we'll get to see a beauty today.  It'll be mostly sunny with temps reaching the high 60's and may tap the 70° mark.  Breezes will be out of the W at 5-10mph.  Tonight...clear, starlit, moonlit as temps head back into the 50's.  What's not to like about this perfect lovely Fall weather? 

High tide:2:36p.m.

Low tide:8:05a.m.

Ocean temp:64°

Sunset:6:11p.m.

End of Daylight Savings:11/4/12

Cooperative Weekend Weather

Mornin'!  It's 58° in WW.  Sun's crossing the horizon as I type.  Skies are clear and cloudless with no breezes to mention.  It'll be a nice one today as temps climb up to the upper 60's/low 70's.  West winds should begin wifting (I mean wafting) in at 10mph later.  You might as well cut and paste this forecast for tomorrow.  Lots going on this weekend at the Shore.  The North Wildwood (2nd & Surf) beach bonfire held by the Jaycees begins at 7p.m.  The NJ Lighthouse challenge is today http://www.visitnj.org/2010-lighthouse-challenge-new-jersey.  The NJ Cranberry Fest is today http://www.pineypower.com/cranfest.htm.  The Cape May Court House Harvest Fest on Mechanics Street is today.  There's Community Beach Clean-Ups this weekend.  The Breast Cancer Walk in Ocean City is tomorrow http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY13EA?pg=entry&fr_id=47312.  There's a Meteor Shower tonight but will be seen at its best before dawn tomorrow. 

High tide:12:34p.m.
Low tide:6:40p.m & 12 midnight
Ocean temp:64°
Sunset:6:14p.m.

The good with the bad

Mornin'!  It's 64°, windy and pouring rain in Wildwood this early morn.  It would be great if it were a Saturday and I could have just rolled over and slept in.  It'll be rainy most of today with breezes out of the South at 20-30mph.  We could even see a thunderstorm or two this afternoon.  That's the bad news. The good news is there are peeks of sun thrown in this afternoon's mix.  And by this evening, this stormy/rainy weather system will be checking out as WW begins to dry out for the weekend and for the next 4 days.  Temps will be in the low-mid 70's so it'll be mild today, but damp so the flipflops are my footwear today.  Oh...the weekend's still looking real nice.  Should be good to go tomorrow night for a beach bonfire! 

High tide:11:30a.m.

Low tide:5:40p.m.

Ocean temp:64°

Sunset:6:15p.m.

Another Beauty

Mornin'!  It's 58° in WW.  It's clear, calm, quiet, and starlit.  Looks like we'll squeeze out one more beautiful day this week as it'll be mostly sunny, temps in the mid-60's, and breezes out of the SE-10/15mph.  Tonight...the clouds roll in as rains are due to check in around midnight.  Looking like they'll stick around throughout the overnight and into tomorrow as we clear out by late afternoon/early evening on Friday.  The weekend's still looking good though.
High tide:10:53a.m.
Low tide:5:15p.m.
Ocean temp:64°
Sunset:6:16p.m.

Beautiful Fall Stretch of Weather Continues

Mornin'!  It's 48° this dark, chilly morn.  When I stepped outside this morning to check the porch thermometer I could hear the roar of the ocean today.  With all the quietness in the early morning darkness some days the ocean's roar is really predominent.  My daughter once mistook it for the sound of cars on a highway!  It's going to be another beauty today as this lovely stretch of Fall weather continues.  Temps will reach the mid-60's as the sun pours down.  There will be a little cloud cover thrown in the mix.   A light southern breeze at 10mph will be checked in right through into the eve when temps will drop back down into the 50's.  After we get through a bit of a rainy period toward the end of the week...it's looking like a weekend similar to today.
High tide:10:01a.m.
Low tide:4:24p.m.
Ocean temp:64°
Sunset:67°

Lovely Fall Day

Mornin'!  It's 54° in WW.  The rains finally came late yesterday and stuck around all night but are outta here now.  It's clear, breezy and seasonably chilly this morning.  It'll be dry, mostly sunny, and breezy (NW at 10-20mph).  Tonight the winds will subside as the temps lower into the low 50's and maybe even into the 40's but, a lovely Fall day for sure at the Shore.

High tide:9:13a.m.

Low tide:3:34p.m.

Ocean temp:64°

Sunset:6:19p.m.

Mixed Bag

Mornin'!  It's 64° this breezy, starlit, clear, mild, dark morning.  Sun's due up in about an hour.  The day and week will begin clear and sunny but the clouds will be rolling in and by this afternoon it will be raining in WW.  One forcaster said we could see a thunderstorm or two later (possibly severe?)!  Just saying.  It'll be mostly mild today with temps in the low 70's.  Breezes will continue though from the SW at 20-25mph w/gusting.  Might as well give up on a hair-do.  It's supposed to clear and calmed down by tonight with temps heading back to the low-50's.  Tomorrow: more sun.  Its funny but I noticed that every other day of this week looks like sun and the other is rain.  It's looking like a mixed bag this week.

High tide:8:27a.m.

Low tide:2:43p.m.

Ocean temp:65°
Sunset:6:20p.m.

Seasonably Warm Sunday

Mornin'!  It's 58° this somewhat, mild, warmish, breezy morn.  It'll be seasonably warm today as temps will be tapping the 70° mark.  Sun's due up in less than an hour as it will be mostly sunny at the Shore.  Breezes will be at 10/15mph from the SW.  Clouds will increase tonight and with them bring some rain by tomorrow sometime in the afternoon.  But, today...a perfectly, lovely Autumn seashore day!
High Tide:7:30p.m.
Low Tide:1:15p.m.
Ocean Temp:66°
Sunset:6:20p.m.

Major chill in the Air

Mornin'!  It's 41° in WW this early morn.  There's a serious chill hitting the Woods this kickoff to the weekend and that includes inside the house as the heater's just about to get fired up.  No frost on the island yet, but I'm sure it's all around us on the mainland.  The sky is clear, starry and moonlit (just a couple days before the New Moon and some tidal flooding I'm sure) and the sun's due up in an hour.  No breezes to write about at the moment.  It's looking like a perfect Fall day at the Shore for all the Activities that continue to be lined up even on the so-called "off-season".  Temps will head into the upper 50's with plenty of sun shining down.  Breezes will be initially out of the NE; then the SE at 10-15mph.   Tomorrow...mostly sunny with much warmer temps as we head back into the 70's. 
High tide:6:57a.m.
Low tide:1:02p.m.
Ocean temp:66°
Sunset:6:23p.m.

Still an Autumn Chill (the Original Columbus Day)

Mornin'!  It's 55° under clear, starlit skies.  It's a bit breezy and chilly.  It'll be sunny today with temps heading into the mid-60's.  A W-NW breeze will be commence at 15-20mph and stay checked in until the early evening at 20-30mph w/gusting.  That cold air wifting (I mean wafting) in will provide perfect conditions for frost.  The island will be spared this possible first frost, but the mainland and pinelands may get their first crispy covering.  Key word: "may".  Tonight Wildwood could see temps in the 40's as the Autumn Chill is in the air.  I think it would be good idea to take care of those outdoor tropical plants if you want them.  The weekend (Fabulous 50's and Craft Beer Fest)  is looking 50/50 as tomorrow albeit sunny will be much cooler than a cloudier Sunday that's supposed to have temps in the 70's.  For today...a sunny, slightly chilly, lovely autumn day at the Shore.
High tide:6:21p.m.
Low tide:12:12p.m.
Ocean temp:67°
Sunset:6:25p.m.

More Sweater Weather on 10-11-12

Cape May Mall

Mornin'!  It's 52° this very breezy, crisp, chilly morn in Wildwood.  It's certainly feeling Fallish this morning.  The sky is clear and starlit as the sun's due to rise in about an hour.  It'll be sunny and breezy and chilly all day as temps go back up into the low 60's.  The October sun and surrounding waters will keep the island warmish though.  Let's talk about the breezes that will be shifting around throughout the day into the eve.  At the moment they're gusting at 25-30mph from the NW and by afternoon will shift from the W-NW at 9-12mph; then by this evening W-SW 5-10mph with temps dropping back down into the 50's.  It still looks like no rain in sight until after the weekend. (possibly Monday).  It's another sweater weather kind of day. 

High tide:5:26p.m.

Low tide:11:20a.m.

Ocean temp:68°

Sunset:6:26p.m.
23 days until Daylight Savings Ending (that's sad).

Gloom is checking out today!

Mornin'!  It's 59° in Wildwood.  It's funny...every weather link I checked out said it was 59° in WW.  Usually there's four or five various numbers for the island's temp.  Everyone was on the same page this morning.  Not to mention, my outdoor porch thermometer is always spot on.   It's a very neat morning as the fog's settled in and it's mild plus there's no breezes.  One weather person called it "gloom" as it's still dark with that ominous look and feel everywhere you look.  Streetlights are giving that ol' London streets eerie "Jack the Ripper" feel to the neighborhood as the thick fog's settling in.  It'll be misty, periods of drizzles and even a shower today.  By this afternoon (or as early as late morning) we could see peeks of sun trying its best to burn off the gloom.  It's coming...that ol' Miss Sun is returning and will be sticking around for the next 5-6 days!  Temps are going to be in the low 70's as a SE breezes eventually shifting from the West at 10-15mph will be checked in later.  Seems like we're going to have a fairly decent day at the shore.  Tonight will be clear and in the 50s. 
High tide:4:28p.m.
Low tide:10:23a.m.
Ocean temp:68°
Sunset:6:28p.m.

Sweater and Sock Weather

Mornin'!  It's 52° in Wildwood.  It's cloudy, breezy and chilly before daybreak.  It's not raining at the moment, but scattered showers are due to check in this morning. (60% chance).   It'll be much like yesterday...cloudy, damp, chilly, breezy and same goes for tonight and tomorrow.  Temps are supposed to get up into the low-mid 60's as breezes wift (I mean waft) over the island from the NE at 15-20mph.  Tonight...20% chance of showers with temps back in the low 50's.  Thursday goes back to blue sky and warmth.  It's been sweater and sock weather without question on the island this week. 
High tide:3:31p.m.
Low tide:9:09a.m.
Ocean temp:69°
Sunset:6:29p.m.

Happy Columbus Day! (It's really October 12th)

Mornin'!  It's 49° (Yes...you read that right) in Wildwood.  Thankfully, I took a couple tropical plants indoors last night...brrrr!  No heat on in the house yet, but I'm wearing a sweater this sunny morn.  Slept in a bit under a warm comforter with windows opened slightly.  Being a celebrated Columbus day...this holiday just extended my weekend thank you very much.  The rains and damp chill are mostly out of here.  The feeling of Autumn as well as the aroma of the sea is in the air! The sun's up.  The birds are chirping.  The seagulls are laughing.  There's not much of a breeze to write about.  So far, so good today.  Had yet another great summer-like weekend with family and friends and hated to see it come to an end.  Today's chilly temps will rise up into the lo-mid 60's as the sun sticks around most of the day as well as the clouds hovering about will make it a partly sunny/partly cloudy day.  Your choice.  Showers are supposed to return later today/early evening.  Breezes will be out of the NW at 5-10mph.

high tide:7:35p.m.

low tide:8:04a.m.

Ocean temp:69°

Sunset:6:31p.m.

The other 50

Mornin'!  It's 54° in Wildwood.  It's on the chilly side with light showers and cool breezes out of the N-NE at 10-15mph.  Some windows are still slightly opened in the house but it's definitely allowing the damp chill in.  Temps won't get much higher today as the light showers turn to steady, harder rain throughout the entire day.  This is the other half of that 50-50 I mentioned yesterday.  The total opposite of yesterdays sunny, summer conditions.  But the sun returns in the morning with temps keeping the autumn feel in the 60's.  For today...an excellent day to curl up with your book or sunday paper or some football TV or some homemade soup or some shopping and the list goes on...enjoy!
High tide:1:44p.m.
Low tide:7:00a.m.
Ocean temp:70°
Sunset:6:32p.m.

50/50 starts now

Mornin' !  It's 67° in WW.  What a lovely morning!  The sun's just about over the horizon.  There's a slight breeze coming in all the opened windows with the refreshing aroma of the sea as well as the sounds of the seagulls laughing and sqawking.  They seem to be up early today as they probably know it's going to be a beauty as today will be the better part of the weekend.  We'll see blue skies, warm and dry conditions, temps in the mid-70's with SW breezes all day then NW breezes this evening all at 15-20mph.  Tonight's breezes will bring the cool front as the temps drop into the low-50's and by the 2nd half of the weekend...the rain.  Forecasters are saying today will be a perfectly lovely day and tomorrow...cold and raw.  Remains to be seen.  For today...I'll be enjoying the first 50!
High tide:12:54p.m.
Low tide:7:13p.m.
Ocean temp:70°
Sunse6:34p.m.

Oh Baby!

Mornin'!  It's 65° in Wildwood.  It's a mild, clear, starlit, moonlit, quiet, motionless morn.  No sounds of the ocean or seagulls this morning and all forecasts point to a 5-Star day.  It should be as my daughter's joining us for the weekend and without a doubt brings glorious weather with her each and every time she arrives .  Oh baby...we're talking a glorious indian summer day.  The humidity's checked out, the breezes will be out of the NW, then SW later at 10-15mph with perfect blue skies and temps tapping the 80's.  It'll be an amazing start to the extended holiday weekend.  Oh...and lots going on this weekend on the island and too much to write...you can check it out at www.WildwoodsNJ.com.  It's one of my favorite weekends and for half of it I'll be in Cape May sampling amazing local wines! Doesn't get any better than that...oh baby!
High tide:12:10p.m.
Low tide:6:25p.m.
Ocean temp:69°
Sunset:6:35p.m.

One More Muggy One

The Sea Wall - Anglesea, North Wildwood

Mornin'!  It's 72° in WW.  Another foggy morn as the Woods are socked in.  It continues to be muggy, warm, humid, very still and quiet start to the day.  It's dark and dank outside.  I keep looking at the thermostat as I'm so tempted to switch the central air conditioner to the "on" position.  I'm not though as today's the day that change is coming according to the local weather.  I'll never turn my back on these indian summer days while they're here.  Yesterday turned out to be a beach day!  It'll be another warm and muggy day as temps climb up into the 80's however, as the day progresses the humidity and the temperature will begin to drop.  It'll be mostly cloudy with peeks of sun but rain and/or thunderstorms are due in by mid-day bringing that change in the air.  SW-W (10-15mph) winds will be helping push the cool front in bringing more comfortable conditions.  It's setting the stage for a 5-star day tomorrow and 4-star day Saturday.  Sunday...no stars. 
High tide:11:30a.m.
Low tide:5:44p.m.
Ocean temp:69°
Sunset:6:37p.m.

Yet another Hump Day!

Ottens Harbor - Wildwood, NJ

Mornin'!  It's 70° this early  morn in Wildwood.  Humpdee!  Humpdee!  Humpdee!  I do enjoy Wednesdays as there's various reasons...it's Wing night at Owens and the C-View for one.  It's good TV watching in the evening (although the Presidential Debates will probably take over the airwaves this evening).  The best reason of all is we're half way until the weekend...a long weekend too as Monday's a holiday for me (Columbus Day)!  We've got our first bout of Fall fog this morning (the island's foggy seasons are Spring and Fall as we see lots of it).  It's mild, very still (no breezes), humid as hell (dewpoint-72),  fragrant (it's that thick fishy-marsh aroma out there), damp & drippy (everything's wet and in the darkness and quietness all you can hear is the sound of everything dripping) and if you stop and listen more intently you can hear the surf.  Love it all.  It's going to be somewhat like yesterday and repeat it all again tomorrow...cloudy, humid with peeks of sun and 80% chance of showers and drizzles and/or thunderstorms.  It'll feel very humid as temps climb close to 80°.  Breezes will be out of the SW at 7-12mph.  It's still looking like Friday will be the first real sunny, blue-sky day.  Weekend...still 50-50. 
High tide:10:49a.m.
Low tide:5:06p.m.
Ocean temp:69°
Sunset:6:38p.m.

Autumn Muggies

George Redding Bridge - Wildwood, NJ

Mornin'!  It's 68° in the Woods.  Temps are heading into the low-mid 70's today.  It's currently mild, overcast and cloudy with that ol' humidity hanging over us.  Feels a bit damp and muggy as we wait for the rain to show up.  It was supposed to start raining last night but it never showed up (it did on the mainland when I was out there shopping last night but never made it to the island).  So, I guess we'll try again today as rain showers and/or a thunderstorm are predicted, although one forecaster said there will be peeks of sun today...guess it all remains to be seen.  The cloudiness, dampness and rain are supposed to hang out until Thursday and they're saying near 80° tomorrow.  No breezes to mention but they'll be wifting (I mean wafting) over us from the S-SE at 5-10mph.  At this point the weekend's looking 50-50...Saturday being the better 50.

High tide:10:12a.m.

Low tide:4:27p.m.

Ocean temp:69°

Sunset:6:40p.m.

Welcome October! Welcome Monarchs!

 

 

Mornin'!  It's 56° in Wildwood.  The sky is clear, moonlit and full of stars as the horizon is just starting to lighten and  turn shades of pale blue.  Sea fragrance is surrounding us.  It's a lovely October morn and it's supposed to be a pretty nice day and start to the month although it seems October doesn't want to ease in with complete lovliness.  It's looking like a decent day but mostly crapola week.  Today...temps will get up into the lo-70's again as once this partially sunny October day makes its presence known and will begin to give way to clouds.  Those clouds will give way to developing rain by tonight.  This week looks like a rainy one right up until the end of the week as each day this week has forecasted rain.  One good thing...the butterflies are enjoying my gardens not to mention the upcoming weekend's forecast is looking like the best weather of this first week of October.  I'll raise a glass to that!

High Tide:9:30a.m.
Low Tide:3:48p.m.
Ocean Temp:69°
Sunset:6:41p.m.