That's what they get for naming one after my grandmother! Hurricane Isabel heads towards the east coast http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/images/isabel091303-1545z.jpg Tracking Map http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/images/isabeltracking091303-11am.jpg Looks like it could be a wet opening weekend in Philly and Washington. More info http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s2068.htm
Here's the National Hurricane Center link: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ The Hurricane Research Division has some more interesting stuff on Isabel
D'Oh! Here I thought to get the "breaking" story... My contribution to a projected path: http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlstorm13/projectedpath_large.html Don't know if flying to the East Coast is a good idea now... want to catch the FRA/NOR match, but might not be able to get in or out of Philly. Hmm, Columbus is looking better.
This storm could be the story of the WWC (well at least early). Here's an update - http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_astorm13+shtml/140858.shtml? 5 day http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT13/refresh/AL1303W5+GIF/140858W5.gif Ger/Can (in Columbus) may be a great game. It's possible that Isabel may have passed Philly by Saturday morning which is when I planned on driving up to Philly. As a contingency, I made a hotel reservation for Friday night. Thanks for the heads up!
Pack enough food and extra clothes... some heavy weights in the car, too.. and know your bail-out spots.... Remember your toothbrush... I never thought it was important, but Mom would yell if I didn't take it.. Ah.. the memories of soccer games and hurricanes.. Quite a few times we drove to the pitch for a game (ours) even with the chance of a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.... Enjoy..and as you all know..anything can happen.. a hurricane does not abide by the laws we humans do....
Not only that, if this thing is out of the way come Saturday morning and the weather turns nice I'm willing to bet attendance in DC and PHL spikes because people want to get outside. Then again, I really think that under half of all the United and Freedom games I've gone to in the last two years have been played under dry skies. I should know better.
The most recent forecasts have Isabel in Pennsylvania AM on Friday.... So Saturday noon looks ok, as the Linc has a superior drainage system. Hopefully 2 days is sufficient to get RFK dry and playable. Big story will be the tropical humidity with DEWPOINTS in the upper 70...s
This is just great. If the fields are too wet, then it will be harder for the players. The games won't look so great or they will look like a farce. Hilarious was that Freedom/Charge game from this season which had too many goals in the first half despite ridiculous conditions.
Hurricane Don't get to travel much for pleasure, so going this weekend with my wife and daughter to DC to see the game and sightsee was going to be special. Anybody know the policy on rain and postponements? Supposed to be torrential rains in D.C. from the hurricane. I'll be there either way, but just wondering.
NOAA Update http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_astorm13+shtml/140858.shtml? Essentially, looks like the eye should land in NC approx. 2pm Thursday. By 2pm Friday, it could be around Lake Erie. 2PM Saturday in Hudson Bay. IF this holds true, then the games on Sat in Philly should be OK, and Sun in DC. IF the storm slows down, I can't imagine that the games would be played in a hurricane. But I don't think that is likely. Adam's Previous observation seems to be holding true. Damage/flooding could be a problem. The next 24-36 hours will be critical. Will the storm speed up as expected (HOPEFULLY)...
Operations The field may be drained and ready but the rest of the operations side may not be. The TV transmission trucks, cables, and other equipment need be to be in place and tested, not to mention signage, banners, etc. The WWC (like any other event) will be a blur of activity up until the last minute, only I can't see the operations staff (both the LOC and broadcast sides) trying to complete everything in the midst of a category 2 hurricane. So the hurricane may blow past by Saturday and the field may be ready, but I wouldn't be surprised if some matches (Philly and maybe DC) have to be postponed. Unfortunately this sort of thing can't be predicted which is why no official decisions appear to be made (or at least announced) yet. Guess we'll see how it shakes out.
I don't think any delay of the games in DC is likely. But I bet any teams looking to train on Friday will have some problems. I could also imagine some problems in the parking lots on Sunday at RFK. Get there early, with the crack (as in on crack) RFK staff, who knows what if any gates or parking lots they will actually decide to open. Good luck to those of you coming to town. If anyone is flying in on Friday, good luck. The House of Reps has announced they will not have any votes tomorrow. They are mostly heading out tonight. The Senate is tougher, they are staying.
Friday the 4 teams playing at LFF are supposed to get a dry run .... if you have an afternoon time, the forecast is calling for the rain to have ended.... right now, it appears, DC area, and into central PA, get far more rain thean Phill proper....