29 April 2010

Oil Spill Is Worse and Here Comes The Wind..

Posted by Dan Satterfield

The NASA Aqua satellite can clearly see the oil slick from space. It's the size of the U.S. state of Delaware.

Late word on Wednesday night that the oil slick in the Gulf is being fed by a leak that is 5 times bigger than first estimated. At 5,000 feet deep it is going to be very difficult to stop it.

Numerical weather prediction model showing strong SE winds late Friday night across the Gulf. This forecast is likely to be quite accurate.

The normal current flow in the Gulf this time of year will likely push the oil toward the northeast. The winds have been very light over the area for the past few days, but that is about to change. A strong southeast to south wind will pick up on Thursday afternoon and increase Friday and Saturday.

The first area to feel the effects will likely be the wildlife refuges near the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana. If the oil makes it ashore in Alabama and NW Florida, the effects will be a devastating blow to the tourism industry.

The beautiful white sandy beaches from Gulf Shores to Destin are definitely in danger tonight.

The increasing winds will cause larger waves and that may disperse some of the oil. The problem is that instead of 40,000 gallons a day coming out of the well head, it is closer to 200,000 gallons.

It certainly has the potential to be a great environmental disaster.

Dan