Question of the Hour: Did Josh Chase Ruby (Hagupit)?

[Jebman]

I don't see any discussion about Hagupit. Thats TWO big typhoons in a row in two years in the same region! Anyone on this board live near where hagupit hit? Did Josh chase the storm?

 

This is THE Premier meteorological board on the Net. I expect full, in-depth coverage of Hagupit. C'mon meteorologists! Get with the Program! Let's see some discussion of this storm! The folks in the Philippines are fighting for their very lives! Some of them were STILL living in tents from last year's typhoon when Ruby struck!

[HurricaneJosh]

Thanks for asking, Jebman. I was very conflicted and in the end, I decided not to chase it-- and that ended up being the right choice. From a chasing perspective, it looked like a dud.  It weakened dramatically before landfall and the impacts seemed relatively mild.

 

This was great news for Leyte and Samar-- the region of the Philippines that was hit by Super Typhoon HAIYAN. Tacloban City (the epicenter of the human tragedy in HAIYAN) actually had some wind damage from this one, but thank God, nothing like last time. The power is still out, but the city seems OK. I've been chatting on Facebook with friends there.

 

It's funny, I've developed such an emotional attachment to Tacloban, I get freaked out every time a cyclone goes near the place-- I just have a soft spot for the city.