All posts by Fred Valentine

Climate, Weather

Rapid intensification in hurricanes

Rapid intensification in hurricanes refers to a process where a tropical cyclone undergoes a significant increase in strength in a short period of time. Specifically, it is defined by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) as an increase in the maximum sustained winds of a tropical cyclone of at least 35 miles per hour (30 knots) within a 24-hour period.

Visit Hurricane Tracker here

Several factors contribute to rapid intensification, including:

  1. Warm Sea Surface Temperatures: Warmer ocean waters provide more energy to the storm, fueling its development.
  2. Low Vertical Wind Shear: Wind shear refers to the change in wind speed and direction with height. Low vertical wind shear allows a storm to maintain its structure and intensify more rapidly.
  3. High Moisture Content: Ample moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere supports the development and intensification of the storm.
  4. Pre-existing Weather Disturbances: Existing weather systems or disturbances can provide the initial conditions necessary for rapid intensification.

Is Rapid Intensification Happening More Often?

Recent studies and observations suggest that rapid intensification of hurricanes is becoming more frequent and severe. There are several reasons for this trend:

  1. Climate Change: The warming of the global climate is leading to higher sea surface temperatures, which in turn provides more energy for tropical cyclones to intensify.
  2. Increased Ocean Heat Content: Not only are sea surface temperatures rising, but the heat content in the upper layers of the ocean is increasing. This deep layer of warm water can sustain a hurricane’s intensification over a longer period.
  3. Improved Observation and Detection: Advances in technology, such as better satellite imagery and more sophisticated modeling, have improved our ability to detect and predict rapid intensification events.

Research indicates a notable increase in the frequency of rapid intensification events. For instance, studies have shown that the proportion of Atlantic hurricanes undergoing rapid intensification has increased significantly over recent decades.

In summary, rapid intensification is a critical aspect of hurricane development that is influenced by various environmental factors. The trend towards more frequent and intense rapid intensification is likely linked to the broader impacts of climate change, which is causing warmer ocean temperatures and altering atmospheric conditions in ways that favor more powerful storms.

Your Garden

Gardening Tips

  Clean up flowerbeds.

Clear away dead leaves or any other winter debris from the soil surfaces where you’re planning to plant annual flowers and vegetables. Remove protective winter mulch from around perennials and ornamental grasses (hedge trimmers make it easy to give grass clumps a clean, even look), and cut back last year’s dried foliage. To protect yourself from cuts and scrapes, remember to wear gardening gloves, especially when working with plants with prickly leaves.

 Divide your perennials.

A good time to divide many perennials is just before spring growth begins. Dividing perennials is a budget-friendly way to add more plants to your garden, or to share extras with friends. It also aids in keeping your existing perennials healthy. After a few years, if your plants grow in a large clump, the middle can thin out, leaving a bare spot. Dividing the clump will encourage new growth.

Holidays

What’s open, what’s closed New Year’s

What’s open, what’s closed New Year’s Day and eve

Buses won’t run on New Year’s Day, most retailers will close, city services will stop

closed sign
Most government offices, retail stores and grocery stores will be closed on New Year’s Day.

The New Year’s Day holiday falls on a Monday this year, which is when most government offices will close and public transportation will not operate.

Here’s a look at what’s open and what’s closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day across the province:

Retail and grocery

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31:

  • Sobeys, Walmart, Atlantic Superstore will be open, hours depend on location.
  • N.B. Liquor will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open, hours depend on location.
  • Saint John City Market will be closed.
  • Regent Mall in Fredericton will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • CF Champlain mall in Dieppe will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • McAllister Place in Saint John will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1:

  • Sobeys, Walmart, Atlantic Superstore will be closed.
  • N.B. Liquor will be closed.
  • Some Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open.
  • Saint John City Market will be closed.
  • Regent Mall in Fredericton will be closed.
  • CF Champlain mall in Dieppe will be closed.
  • McAllister Place in Saint John will be closed.

Government offices, public services

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31

  • Saint John Transit will run with regular service.
  • Some Saint John city arenas will operate as usual.
  • Codiac Transpo in Moncton will operate as usual and it will also offer a New Year’s Eve service until 2 a.m. for six of its routes.
  • Fredericton Transit will not operate.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1:

  • Saint John Transit will not run.
  • Saint John city arenas will be closed.
  • Codiac Transpo in Moncton will not run.
  • Fredericton Transit will not run.
  • Fredericton arenas will be closed.
  • All public libraries will be closed.
  • Service Canada will be closed.
  • Service New Brunswick offices will be closed.
Famous

Scotty Bowman

This Weeks Famous Canadian

Scotty Bowman

NHL Coach Scotty Bowman

Full Name: William Scott Bowman
Profession: NHL Coach

Nationality:

Canada
Canadian

Biography: Holds the record for most wins in NHL history with 1,244 regular season wins and 223 Stanley Cup playoff wins.

Combined, as a player, coach, and executive, he has won 13 Stanley Cups.

Born: September 18, 1933
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Age: 90 years old

Historical Events

  • 1984-12-19 Scotty Bowman wins his 691st regular season game, the most wins by any coach in NHL history
  • 1991-03-27 Scotty Bowman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a “builder” of the game
  • 1997-02-02 Scotty Bowman becomes first coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games
  • 1997-12-22 Scotty Bowman’s Red Wings beat the Boston Bruins, 4-2 giving him 200 wins with Detroit, and making him the first NHL coach to record 200 wins with 3 different teams; also Montreal and Buffalo
  • 2002-06-13 Stanley Cup Final, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI: Detroit Red Wings beat Carolina Hurricanes, 3-1 for a 4-1 series win; Red Wings’ 10th title; coach Scotty Bowman retires with record 9th title