The WeatherBug Meteorology team at Earth Networks? is actively tracking Hurricane Irene, the Category 1 hurricane that could threaten the U.S. on Thursday or early Friday as it moves dangerously close to Florida and the Southeastern Atlantic Coast. Upon its U.S. approach, the forecast strength of Irene could range from a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds between 74-95 mph, to a Category 3, with winds of 131-155 mph.
While current computer models show variations in the hurricane's track and outcomes, Irene will be the first, and possibly major, hurricane threat to the U.S. mainland this season, putting the highly populated I-95 corridor from Miami to Boston at risk. One model shows Irene developing into a severe Category 4 hurricane, with a track toward the Carolina Coast.
The WeatherBug Meteorology team continues to track Hurricane Irene using weather data from more than 2,000 WeatherBug Weather Stations located along the East Coast, advanced weather and lightning tracking tools, and data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). For the latest developments, information and alerts, turn to the following:
- WeatherBug Apps: The WeatherBug mobile appsand desktop application provide weather information and severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS), in addition to WeatherBug exclusive Dangerous Thunderstorm Alerts (DTAs).
- WeatherBug Website: Follow the path of Hurricane Irene and stay posted on conditions along the East Coast by accessing weather and lightning data from WeatherBug's proprietary network of Weather Stations. Live images from hundreds of cameras, including ones in Miami, Clearwater Beach, and Jacksonville, Fla., Ocean City, Md., and Margate City, N.J., are featured on the WeatherBug website.
- Enterprise Solutions: Federal, state and local officials, as well as professionals in the emergency response sector, can turn to StreamerRT, an advanced web-based visualization tool that enables users to select parameters for National Hurricane Center forecast tracks, hurricane cones, wind swaths and forecast model tracks for optimal storm visualization and tracking.
- WeatherBug Social Networks: WeatherBug Meteorologists will be watching the conditions closely and posting frequent updates at http://weather.weatherbug.com/hurricanes/hurricane.html, via Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/weatherbug), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/WeatherBug.Meteorologists).
Note for the Media: Earth Networks' Chief Meteorologist Mark Hoekzema and the WeatherBug Meteorology team are available 24/7 to provide expert commentary and information on current conditions; impact analysis and recommendations on public safety preparations for the potentially devastating effects of the storms. Storm visualizations and graphics from StreamerRT, the company's enterprise weather visualization and tracking tool, are available upon request. Members of the media are invited to contact the team.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30 every year in the Atlantic Hurricane Basin that consists of the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. In May, WeatherBug Meteorology team predicted an above-average season, with a total of 13 to 14 named storms, seven to eight of which are expected to become hurricanes.
About Earth NetworksSM
As the provider of advanced weather data for nearly 20 years, Earth Networks (formerly AWS) operates the world's largest weather observation and lightning detection networks and is building what will become the largest greenhouse gas monitoring network. Observations from Earth Networks inform and alert consumers, enterprises and governments around the world, providing them with advanced environmental intelligence for decision making and safety. The company's popular WeatherBug website, desktop application and mobile apps provide millions of consumers with real-time, local weather information and dangerous severe weather alerts. Enterprise solutions from Earth Networks enable organizations, including energy and utilities, agriculture, schools, sports and recreation, emergency operations and government entities, to safeguard lives, prepare for weather and climate events and improve business operations. Earth Networks (www.earthnetworks.com) is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with offices in Mountain View, Calif.; New York, NY; Milan, Italy and a local presence in 50 countries worldwide.
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Contacts:
Earth Networks - WeatherBug
Rachel Hunt, Public Relations Manager
301-250-4046
rhunt@earthnetworks.com
or
Jennifer
Gilmore, Senior Director of Marketing
301-250-4239
jgilmore@earthnetworks.com