Candice

[Matt Devitt @MattDevittWX]

SAHARAN DUST 🏜️🐪 It's that time of the year again! Plumes of dust will be heading west from Africa over the next 2 weeks...some of which could head aloft into the United States. Helps to suppress tropical activity in impacted areas and can lead to an extra vibrant glow at sunrise & sunset. Here's the latest model:

[Josh Morgerman @iCyclone]

GFS is being naughty. Already. About the Gulf. But the Euro ensembles (shown here) are also showing a li'l Gulf action. (One member directly threatens Hurricane House.) I ain't getting tingly or anything—just pointing it out.

[Packie Young @packie7b]

With the latest NHC update, major hurricane #Erin has now achieved the highest end of the scale, Category 5. Well over the forecast from yesterday 🔽

[Matt Devitt @MattDevittWX]

#BREAKING: Hurricane #Erin rapidly intensifies into a Category 5 in the Atlantic this morning. This is the first August Category 5 in 18 years (Dean - 2007). In just 24 hours, it has doubled its intensity...going from a 75 mph Category 1, to a 160 mph Category 5. The forecast thankfully remains unchanged and Erin will curve away from the United States. - Matt

[National Hurricane Center @NHC_Atlantic]

August 16: 11:20AM AST @53rdWRS find #Erin is now a Category 5 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb for the latest

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

Just over 4 inches of rain from yesterday’s storm. It’s about damn time! 😂 #FLwx #swfl

[FFS Caloosahatchee @FFS_cafc]

Location: Collier County, Near Newman Dr. Picayune Strand State Forest
Size Est: 160 Acres.
Containment: 70%
Number of units on scene: 4 FFS Tractor-Plows and local Fire Department.
Exercise caution in the area.

[FFS Caloosahatchee @FFS_cafc]

Location: Collier County, Near Newman Dr. Picayune Strand State Forest
Size Est: 140 Acres.
Containment: 50%
Number of units on scene: 4 FFS Tractor-Plows and local Fire Department.
Exercise caution in the area.

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

I can’t wait for this drought to be over! 🔥 #flwx #swfl #drought #fireseason

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

@alexanderhall @foxweather You’re welcome

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

Fawn’s first rain gave him the zoomies 😂🥰

#flwx #swfl #flwildlife

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

@WeatherNation You’re welcome!

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

@WeatherNation In Naples. And sure, feel free to use it.

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

@alexanderhall @foxweather I shot the video from my porch so, feel free to use it.

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

@MattDevittWX the plants still aren’t happy but, this cutie sure was happy with the sprinkles we got today.

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

@WeatherGarrett I just saw the news and came straight here to check on you. That’s scary. Have they caught the shooter? Stay safe!

[Josh Morgerman @iCyclone]

Mass firings have started at the National Weather Service, including people in critical roles. Cutting waste is great. Mindlessly taking a sledgehammer to a valuable organization is stupid. All the know-it-alls who said we were fabricating this threat can shut up now. Thanks.

[Al Roker @alroker]

Folks, NOAA/NWS is more than just forecasts. It’s fire weather. It’s severe weather outlooks. It’s climate. It’s informationthat our FARMERS use day in and day out making us the breadbasket of the world. This agency monitors our oceans, our fisheries health. It touches our lives in ways you cannot even imagine. Everyone wants efficiency. No of us should want a NOAA/NWS that cannot fulfill it’s mission that makes us safer and protects us from what nature throws at us AND help us be better stewards of the environment

[Al Roker @alroker]

Going into the severe weather and hurricane season, this cannot be good.

The Commerce Department has laid off hundreds of NOAA employees, many with specialized skills who work at one of the world's top climate science and weather forecasting agencies.
Why it matters: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is responsible for providing weather watches and warnings, monitoring and studying Earth's climate, as well as operating weather satellites and protecting marine life.
The layoffs of probationary employees that began Thursday hit soon after cuts at the behest of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency occurred at other climate and environment agencies.
The big picture: NOAA's missions require staff to work around the clock to monitor dangerous weather, earthquakes that could cause tsunamis, and other hazards.
In recent weeks, NOAA's National Weather Service has issued warnings for deadly flooding in Kentucky, heavy snow, frigid temperatures and other hazards across the country.
While NOAA had pushed for public safety exemptions from the layoffs for NWS meteorologists, not all were granted. A congressional aide reported hearing that "some" at NWS were spared but "not many."

[Candice @swfl_wanderer]

@WeatherGarrett I’m glad you got that extra time with him.