CSU FOREcast team maintains 2006 prediction, warns florida of heightened risk of landfall

At the start of the 2006 hurricane season, the Colorado State University (CSU) forecast team maintains its earlier predictions: The U.S. Atlantic basin likely will experience another active hurricane season, but coastal regions may face fewer landfalling major hurricanes than last year.

    The CSU team released its first forecast for the 2006 hurricane season in December 2005, updated it in early April 2006 and again May 31 (see HP, Show Issue 2006, page 13). In all its forecasts, the CSU team anticipates 17 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and November 30. Nine of the 17 storms are predicted to become hurricanes, and of those nine, five are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5) with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.

    While the team expects fewer landfalling major hurricanes, it says Florida faces a heightened risk of experiencing a hurricane of any intensity coming ashore. The forecast team’s landfall probabilities for the United States are based upon total predicted Net Tropical Cyclone activity, which is an aggregate measure of activity expected during the season and new mid-level steering flow predictors that show moderate skill in predicting whether storms are more likely to make landfall along the Gulf Coast, the Florida Peninsula and East Coast, or stay out to sea. This year’s steering current predictors indicate that the Florida Peninsula and East Coast have an especially heightened risk of experiencing landfalling hurricanes, the team says.

NOAA concludes successful hurricane awareness tour

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concluded its 2006 Hurricane Awareness Tour in early May having delivered its message of the need for hurricane preparedness to thousands of visitors and media audiences.
 
   More than 4,000 students and other guests throughout the Gulf Coast region toured “Kermit,” one of NOAA’s Lockheed WP-3D Orion hurricane hunter aircraft, during stops in Brownsville and Beaumont, TX; Mobile, AL; and West Palm Beach and Tampa, FL, which were extensively covered by local and regional media.

    Max Mayfield, director of the NOAA National Hurricane Center, emphasized the importance of an individual hurricane plan. “We know that people who have a hurricane plan, and execute that plan, fare much better than those that do not,” said Mayfield. “Each person needs to take individual responsibility and make preparations now.”

“Working in partnership with federal, state and local emergency managers and the media we can help educate the public,” said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, director of the NOAA National Weather Service. “But the public should also take responsibility for preparing themselves to recognize and respond appropriately to severe weather threats.”

    The NOAA National Weather Service forecast offices arranged the event with local governments, emergency managers, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), schools, the public and the media in a team effort to increase hurricane awareness and encourage preparedness in this vulnerable area of the nation.

Simonton Readies for season with product, plant additions
    Simonton Windows®, Parkersburg, WV, has added three new framing options to its line of impact-resistant StormBreaker Plus™ vinyl windows, and to keep up with demand for its coastal windows and doors the company has broken ground on a 120,000-square-foot addition to its Lyons, GA, manufacturing facility.

    To make installation easier for builders, the three new frame options will allow builders to quickly position the windows into place during new construction projects. New box frames are offered for brick, siding and concrete block applications.

    “These new frame options allow builders to select the framing option that best complements their application need,” says Mark DeSimone, Simonton Windows coastal products manager.

    The Georgia facility addition is expected to be completed in August and will more than double the space Simonton has dedicated for producing coastal products. “Our Lyons facility began window production in January of this year and we already see the need to add more production space,” says Jody Garrett, vice president of manufacturing. “The need for coastal windows and doors will only strengthen in the future.”

WEATHER SHIELD ENHANCES IMPACT PRODUCT LINE
    Weather Shield, Medford, WI, has responded to forecasts for another active hurricane season with several enhancements to its LifeGuard impact-resistant product line.

    Its new LifeGuard IG ELS single-hung window has passed the ASTM testing protocol, the company states. These test standards cover the areas of the country that have instituted a combination of windborne debris resistance and energy efficiency requirements.

    Weather Shield also will introduce two enhancements to its Legacy Series LifeGuard product line of aluminum-clad wood windows and doors that have completed testing and will be available mid-2006: a true wood jamb liner system for the double-hung tilt windows and a new radius-top French swinging door.

    In time for 2006, the company announces a new French sliding patio door to its line of Weather Shield LifeGuard IG products. This two-panel door combines the look and charm of a French door with the space-saving benefits of a sliding door.

ASI BP OPENS JACKSONVILLE SHOWROOM, ENHANCES TAMPA SPACE
    ASI Building Products (ASI BP), Tampa, FL, announces additions to enhance its Florida distribution locations, some of the many advancements that mark ASI BP’s 40th year in business.

    ASI BP recently opened a state-of-the-art showroom in Jacksonville featuring a full line of exterior building products. In addition, a new demonstration and sales counter was added in the Tampa showroom to showcase its line of window products.

    The addition will serve builders, developers and window installers in the greater Tampa Bay area. The new demonstration and sales area features a special window display and a large area for customer/staff interactions and product demonstrations.

    Featured manufacturers at the new windows display include Simonton Windows and Stanley Pro-Fit Windows. In addition, products include impact resistant windows, storm protection windows and more.