Cuba Hurricane Chasing

[Brian Emfinger]

I know some of you guys must be happy about this possibility:

http://www.reuters.com/article/joeBiden/idUSN3142346320090331

although I have no idea if there is proper infrastructure for safe places and travel.

 

[Stuart Robinson]

I guess that I am (politically lucky ) in that being a Brit I can travel to Cuba with no problems. In fact it may come as a surprise but Cuba is a big vacation destination for us Brits!

I like to do something new every year in stormchasing – so in 2009 I fully plan to intercept a hurricane in Cuba. If you recall Gustav, he was at his “best” as he crossed Cuba and was just OK as he made landfall in Texas – (I know because I was there)

So… the plan is .. to do a fist intercept on Cuba, before crossing the gulf for a possible USA landfall.

An intercept on Cuba will be tough – but no more than my Typhoon intercept in Taiwan (Krosa) – IE no internet and a crappy car hire etc.

 

[Nathan Edwards]

A colleague of mine has just come back from Cuba getting married there last week, and highly recommended a visit. Several other friends also holiday there and I've heard nothing but praise for the hospitality that they get from locals. They all say people are a lot more genuine than what they have experienced elsewhere in the Caribbean which surprised them as they expected to be ushered around and only shown the 'good parts of the country'. They admit that many areas are poor and run down, but say the people seem happy and it adds a certain charm to the area with towns and cities being uncluttered with advertising boards and other monstrosities. If it wasn't so far to go, I'd consider a possible hurricane intercept there, but flights aren't cheap from this side of the Atlantic when you book just days in advance, during peak tourist season

 

[Stuart Robinson]

Nathan, I have chased a few Hurricanes from here in the UK - one thing to remember about flights, is that there is often a lot of cancelations and you can pick up some some really good deals.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

Politics is total BS ... But I cannot talk about that. Get along ... Everyone will be happy - Including hurricane chasers AND those wanting to visit family in Cuba.

Above: Matanzas Bay, Cuba (1997) from Copa Airlines (Panama to Miami). Notice "no boats" though ... Just blue pristine water.

I can imagine the storm surge you can get into the "funnel" shape of this bay!

It all looks like "one big happy earth" once your high enough where you cannot see the effects of "mankind's selfishness" ;-)

 

[James Reynolds]

Once I have more funds available Cuba is defintely on the list for me. As it stands cost wise for one Atlantic hurricane I could attempt to intercept 3 typhoons so I'm sticking to the Wpac for the time being.

As for Taiwan, it's the most typhoon hardy place (alongside Okinawa) I've ever been too with fantastic infrastructure, brilliant communications, lax law enforcement and power which stays on during the eyewall of a cat. 3 equivalent storm.

 

[Stuart Robinson]

James I will take a Taiwan intercept over the USA any day (We must hook up together for a chase soon!) But cuba is my target for 2009 - this will be tricky but I am determined to do it!