Pearl Harbor 80 Years Later

Remembering Pearl Harbor

This is not our typical post, but today is not a typical day either.   Today marks the 80th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  

These pictures were taken during a visit to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial during a cruise vacation to Hawaii. The background of this image is the oil slick which still rises to the surface of the water around the memorial. 

These images remain in my mind several years after our visit. We were so moved by our visit, we went back the next day for a second visit. 

Out of respect to the Sailors and Marines entombed below, visitors are asked to remain silent during their visit. The silence adds to the eerie atmosphere at the memorial. 

Cruise vacations to Hawaii, often start or end in Honolulu, Oahu. I would encourage you to visit the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial during your visit there. It is even more moving when you visit on or around December 7th. 

For more information about U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and today's events, see the National Park Service website.

 "December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” — Franklin Delano Roosevelt 

The attack caught America by surprise, killing 2,400 Americans, sinking 12 ships and destroying 188 aircraft -- and triggering U.S. entry into World War II. In fact, the U.S. declared war on Japan the following day when FDR made the above quote. Eighty years ago today, at precisely the moment that I started this column, the United States was drawn into World War II when Pearl Harbor was attacked. While this was before I was born, it is still a date that is impossible for me to forget.

Watch this video made by one of the two remaining survivors of Pearl Harbor.  

Louis Conter was aboard the USS Arizona when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. More than 1,170 of the ship’s crewmen died, and 2,403 total lives were lost that Sunday morning. But Conter survived, and he bravely served in the Navy until 1967 when he retired at the rank of lieutenant commander. The Knights of Columbus salutes Conter, a member of Father Nicholas Phelan Council 1875, on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

 

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NOAA 2010 Central Pacific Hurricane Prediction

NOAA CPHC Satellite Image

“Prepare! Watch! Act!”

NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center  (CPHC) announced that projected climate conditions point to a below normal hurricane season in the Central Pacific basin this year.
 

Central Pacific 

Hurricane Season

June 1 to November 30

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) issues tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for all tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific from 140 Degrees West Longitude to the International Dateline.

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Honolulu activates the CPHC when: (1) a tropical cyclone moves into the Central Pacific from the Eastern Pacific, (2) a tropical cyclone forms in the Central Pacific, or (3) a tropical cyclone moves into the Central Pacific from the West.

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

The seasonal hurricane outlook is produced in collaboration with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. For 2010, the outlook calls for a 70% chance of a below normal season, a 25% chance of a near normal season, and only a 5% chance of an above normal season.

An average season has four or five tropical cyclones, which includes tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.  NOAA's CPHC is predicting two to three tropical cyclones in the central Pacific during the 2010 season.

When formulating a tropical cyclone prediction, current climate patterns are compared with historical results.  The current model included two climate factors:  the ongoing low-activity era in the central Pacific, which partly reflects fewer eastern Pacific hurricanes moving into the region and the expectation of either ENSO-neutral or La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific, neither of which favors tropical cyclone activity in the central Pacific.

The outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal hurricane activity and does not predict whether, where, when, or how many any of these systems will affect Hawaii.

As a service to my readers, we will monitor tropical storms and provide updates.   Starting June 1st, we'll add the RSS feeds so that you'll be able to get up to the minute forecasts and advisories from NOAA.   Cruise lines monitor tropical storms and may provide advisories of their own.   Those will also be shared with you.

Related Links

Climate Prediction Center (CPC)
Central Pacific Hurricane Center  (CPHC)
WMO Severe Weather Info Centre
National Hurricane Center (NHC)
NWS Regional Offices and Centers
Hurricane Preparedness

More links and information about tropical storms and other weather conditions can be found in the Weather tab above.

Updated Atlantic Hurricane Forecasts are due out this week.   It is anticipated that the Atlantic forecast will be more severe than the Pacific.    We will bring you the updated forecasts when they are published.

Related Blog Posts

Above Average 2010 Hurricane Forecast
NOAA 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook
NOAA 2010 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook
NOAA 2010 Central Pacific Hurricane Prediction
Hurricane Hazards - Inland Flooding
Huricane Hazards - High Winds
Hurricane Hazards - Storm Surge
Hurricane Preparedness Week 2010
Travel With Protection Against Unexpected
Weather



Hurricane Preparedness Week  - May 23 - 29, 2010

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Hurricane Neki - Central Pacific

Chart Courtesy of NOAA CHC 3:40 pm October 20, 2009

Click for Hawaiian watches, warnings and advisories.

CENTRAL NORTH PACIFIC

NEKI DISSIPATING AS IT ACCELERATES INTO THE NORTH PACIFIC

NOTE: Hurricane Rick whcih we were tracking has also dissipated - there were been itinerary changes issued for that storm. <Follow Hurricane Rick - (click here)>

Much of the focus the past week has been on the Tropical Storms in the Atlantic. That doesn't mean that the Pacific is exempt from tropical storms and hurricanes this time of year. We have been watching that area closely also.

Once the NHC begins to monitor a storm, we'll add RSS feeds to this blog so that you can monitor the storm between posts. When developments become significant, we'll write a detailed article to help you plan your cruise vacation in the area.

UPDATE: 500 PM HST MON OCT 26 2009... NEKI DISSIPATING AS IT ACCELERATES INTO THE NORTH PACIFIC...

THE REMNANTS OF NEKI WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE RAPIDLY NORTH-NORTHEAST OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WEAKENING IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL DISSIPATION TONIGHT.

NO FURTHER UPDATES WILL BE PROVIDED ON THIS STORM

Local Weather Statements

<More Details> <Warnings and 5-Day Cone >

<NWS Hawaii Forecast>

<NASA Hurricane Tracking>

Cruise Ship Tropical Storm Updates:
<CARNIVAL> <Norwegian Cruise Line> <Royal Caribbean>

Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America is the only ship in the area at the time, and is out of harms way, so there have been no ship advisories issued.

Live Cruise Ship and Ocean Liner Tracking:

<Interactive tracking map> See where ships are relative to tropical storms.

Cruise lines monitor weather forecasts and take passenger and crew safety into consideration. During hurricane season, there may be itinerary changes due to tropical storms, so be sure to monitor any storms in the area of your cruise vacation.

Continue to watch this blog for any tropical storm updates during this season.