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A very big storm is brewing off the Aleutians
It makes me wonder again why Shell thinks they can drill in the Arctic and why they thought they could move that drilling rig in the wintertime without running into "issues."
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According to NOAA,
Here’s a visible satellite image from MTSAT2 in the western Pacific valid 2132Z. The lack of satellite imagery in the northwestern part of this image is due to the fact sunrise had yet to occur locally in those areas. That said it’s still possible to see the impressive circulation of the low and its associated cold front! Though not shown here the latest OPC Pacific Surface analysis, valid at 1800z, analyzed the central pressure at 937mb!
That's 937 millibars! The storm that caused the problem with the Kulluk was 960.
9 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
Right now, this storm is NOT expected to cause any problems "Within the Forecast period".
VALID 12Z WED JAN 16 2013 - 12Z FRI JAN 18 2013
.....ELSEWHERE ACROSS THE NATION...STRONG HIGH PRESSURE SPRAWLED OVER THE ROCKIES WILL KEEP THE MAJORITY OF THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PRECIPITATION FREE THROUGH THE FORECAST PERIOD. ACROSS THE
NORTHERN TIER...HOWEVER...A STRONG ARCTIC BOUNDARY DROPPING OUT OF
CANADA COULD TRIGGER A FEW LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS ACROSS THE NORTHERN
PLAINS AND GREAT LAKES AS IT PLUNGES SOUTHEASTWARD WEDNESDAY AND
THURSDAY.
We are technically in a La Nina, but it is a marginal La Nina and on the decline:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/ensocycle/nawinter.shtml
More about La Ninas:
http://www.elnino.noaa.gov/lanina.html
One person said "Is there a name for this one?" to which the reply was, "A name? Yes, we call it Wednesday." 
Just a fairly common North Pacific/Bering Sea storm, but we do hope that Shell Oil is paying attention.
