Saturday, October 6, 2012

Scary stuff

Tropical Storm Gaemi a Non-issue for Sakon Nakhon

Tropical Storm Gaemi has become a non issue for Sakon Nakhon, in fact it's a non issue for north eastern and central Thailand from the looks of things.
Gaemi has moved even further south than I anticipated some days ago.

Gaemi is expected to enter southern Vietnam later today.
It is expected to dissipate within two days after making landfall.

Moving at a speed of 11knots (20km), it may dissipate before reaching Thailand.

In a rush to avoid another flooding calamity, many reservoirs were drained to some degree in Thailand.

The question now is did they drain reservoirs prematurely and create a possible water shortage in the future.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Sakon City getting ready to party

City sprucing in preparation for the festivities has begun.
They're pruning and mowing and raking.

They were even repainting street traffic markings.
You know those white lines and turn lane arrows on the pavement.
Instead of using modern equipment, it's done by local labor.
A chalk outline is drawn, then come the paintbrushes and paint rollers.
Had wanted to take a picture of the work on my return trip. But by the time I returned, they were long gone. Probably will return another day

In the west it's done with machinery

There have been daily power shut downs lasting ten minutes or so along I.T.U..
Electric service upgrades I suspect.

Tropical Storm Gaemi

Yesterday's assessment that the storm would move further south and continue to slow down seems to have become reality. Originally forecast to enter Thailand by Friday, the storm arrival is now expected some time Sunday evening

A northern pressure system is pushing Tropical Storm Gaemi further south, leaving Sakon Nakhon unscathed.

Locally expect occasional overcast skies, cooler temperatures, occasional rain.

Tropical Storm Gaemi : 5 Day Forecast Map | Weather Underground »

Over the past years I'd frequently mentioned the doughnut effect over Sakon Nakhon.
It happens frequently
Bad weather all around us, with local clear skies.

The 2011 storms which caused flooding havoc throughout south and central Thailand, aimed straight at Sakon Nakhon. Then at the last moment it split, part to the north of us, part to the south.

There was some flooding in the northern and southern parts of the province, but the city remained unscathed

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Tropical storm Gaemi

According to earlier estimates, the storm should have arrived this evening.
The storm has been moving very slowly, in fact it's been stationary for the past six hours according to some reports.

Gaemi has been upgraded to an Extra Tropical Cyclone.
Before Gaemi arrives possible local thunderstorms will be influenced by a ridge of high pressure from China.

I'm taking a wild guess here, but if the ridge of high pressure approaching from the north-north west, remains strong, it may be possible that Gaemi may be pushed further south.
My guess is somewhat supported by weather forecast which indicate diminished rainfall in the area after this weekend.

I'm a bit perplexed by a statement in the Bangkok Post: "..the first tropical storm to hit the country in three years."

What caused all that flooding last year? Not tropical Storms? Oh that's right, someone drained the reservoirs at the wrong time.

I've been watching ocean surface temperatures on a daily basis.
It's hot out there. So I'm not surprised by a prediction at Coconuts Bangkok:
"A second storm after Gaemi? Oy vey!"

Anyway you look at it, the game plan is continuously changing and deserves continuous watching

Tropical Storm Gaemi : 5 Day Forecast Map | Weather Underground »
Tropical Storm Gaemi is expected to be downgraded to a Tropical Depression by the time it reaches us Saturday.. The center of the storm is forecast to be south of Sakon, near Ubon

If you collect rainwater, cleaning your gutters should be done now

Thailand News October 3

Yingluck orders agencies to prepare response measures

for Tropical Storm Gaemi

THE NATION October 4

Eight Bangkok areas face flooding

Thai Meteorological Department

Weather warning "Tropical Cyclone GAEMI

Thailand's Welcome is getting a bit rusty

On a rescent motorcycle cruise I noticed these signs,
seemingly in the middle of no-where, a bit neglected.
Most likely district boundaries.
Both are welcome(ยินดีต้อนรับ)signs