Author Archives: Fred Pickhardt

About Fred Pickhardt

Fred Pickhardt, Marine Meteorologist I am a marine meteorologist and sailed briefly with American Export Lines in the Far East trade. I have extensive experience in marine weather analysis, marine weather forecasting, optimum ship routing, vessel performance evaluations and forensic marine weather event reconstructions. I founded Ocean Weather Services and as Owner and Chief Consultant currently provide optimum ship routing services and forensic marine weather reports to the maritime industry.

Hurricane Maria update: 1100 AM EDT (1500 UTC) Sun Sep 24 2017

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has reduced the max winds of Maria to 90 knots (105 mph) which is a Cat 2 storm, based on the latest information from the NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft. The minimum pressure … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Hurricane, Hurricane Force, Maria, North Atlantic, Tropical Cyclone, US East Coast, Wave height | Leave a comment

Hurricane Maria Update

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

Hurricane Maria at 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC) Thu Sep 21 2017 Maria has a large 40 nm wide eye and max winds of about 100 knots (115mph). Hurricane force winds extent outward 40-50 NM while 50 knot (58mph) or … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Hurricane, Hurricane Force, Maria, North Atlantic, Storm, Tropical Cyclone | Leave a comment

Cat 5 Hurricane Maria bears done on Puerto Rico

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

Hurricane Maria at 5 PM EDT (2100 UTC) has continued to strengthen with max winds now at 145 knots (165 mph) and with a central pressure of 916 mb. Maria was moving towards the west-northwest (300 degrees) at 9 knots … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Bahamas, Caribbean Sea, Hurricane, Hurricane Force, Maria, North Atlantic, Tropical Cyclone | Leave a comment

New Hurricane threat for Leeward and Virgin Islands

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

A developing tropical disturbance over the central tropical North Atlantic is forecast to become a tropical depression or a tropical storm today so tropical storm watches have been issued for portions of the Leeward Islands. Max winds are currently estimated to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Caribbean Sea, Hurricane, Leeward Islands, North Atlantic, Tropical Cyclone | Leave a comment

TS Jose Thursday Update

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

Tropical Storm Jose as of 2100 UTC (5PM EDT) on Sept. 14th was moving towards the west-northwest at 7 knots over the western North Atlantic with a max wind of about 60 knots. Jose is moving over an area that … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Hurricane, North Atlantic, Ocean Weather, Storm, Tropical Cyclone | Leave a comment

Hurricane Jose to do clockwise loop over Atlantic

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

September 13, 2017 – As of 11 am EDT (1500 UTC), Hurricane Jose is being affected by strong wind northwesterly shear and the current max wind is estimated at 65 knots. Jose has been moving slowly southeastward, however, most models show … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Hurricane, Jose, North Atlantic, Tropical Cyclone | Leave a comment

Typhoon Tali to intensify over Western North Pacific

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

Typhoon Tali was located at 2100UTC 12 September, 2017 about 171NM S-SW of Kadena AB on Okinawa and was moving northwest at 12 knots with max winds of 70 knots. Hurricane force winds extend outward about 30 NM to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Hurricane, Hurricane Force, North Pacific, Tropical Cyclone, Typhoon | Leave a comment

Major Hurricane Irma Update 07 Sept. 0300UTC

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

Major Hurricane Irma at 0300UTC Sept 7th (11PM EDT Sept. 6th) was centered near 19.4N 66.8W and was moving towards the west-northwest at 14 knots (16mph) with a minimum central pressure of 916 MB and max sustained winds of 160 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Bahamas, Florida, Hurricane, Hurricane Force, Irma, North Atlantic, Storm, Tropical Cyclone, US East Coast | Leave a comment

Tuesday 11pm EDT Hurricane Irma Update

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

Tuesday 11pm EDT Hurricane Irma Update Major Hurricane Irma located near 17.4N/61.1W was moving towards the west-northwest at 13 knots (15 mph) with a min pressure of 916 MB and max winds to 160 knots (185 mph) and possible gusts … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Florida, Hurricane, Hurricane Force, Irma, Major Hurricane, Tropical Cyclone | Leave a comment

Hurricane Irma Monday update

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

Major Hurricane Irma, currently with max winds to 105 knots (120 mph) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb continues to move west-southwestward at about 11 knots. Hurricane force winds extend outward 20-30 NM while gales extend outward 60 NM … Continue reading →

Posted in Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones | Tagged Bahamas, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane, Hurricane Force, Irma, Tropical Cyclone | Leave a comment