Hurricane Norbert, Baja California-bound, gains strength

Hurricane Norbert is now only 200 miles west of Cabo San Lucas and still on a course to make landfall Saturday morning about 200 miles north of the resort city on the Baja California peninsula.

The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Norbert to a Category 2 hurricane with wind speeds of 105 mph, and it's expected to remain at that strength until coming ashore.

According to the hurricane center's 8 p.m. update, rainfall accumulations throughout Baja California Sur are expected to range from 4 to 6 inches.

Norbert’s center is expected to make landfall in the Magdalena Bay area and cross into the Sea of Cortez near Loreto.

This should spare the popular Cabo San Lucas and East Cape areas to the south from major impact. La Paz, on the Sea of Cortez, is closer to the storm path and many people were getting their boats onto land Friday.

The San Diego-based long-range sportfisher Intrepid was at the Alijos Rocks in the Pacific, 200 miles west of Magdalena Bay, on Friday afternoon. About 5 p.m., however, the seas grew heavy, the wind picked up and skipper Kevin Osbourne quickly headed north.

"It is time to get out of here," he said in a satellite phone interview with 976-TUNA, which reported the vessel is bound for the shelter of Guadalupe Island.

Meanwhile, the area from La Paz north to Loreto, on the east coast of Baja, remains under a hurricane warning. Norbert is expected to reach mainland Mexico south of Guaymas on Saturday night. That region also is under a hurricane warning.

—Pete Thomas

Caption: Cabo San Lucas as of 5 p.m. Friday had yet to experience any real effects of Hurricane Norbert, except for cloudiness.

Credit: Tracy Ehrenberg

Lake Tahoe area looks just Heavenly with fresh snow

A few days ago, we showed you Mammoth Mountain wearing its first thin blanket of snow this season.

Now it's Heavenly's turn to appear in the Outposts spotlight. The above photo was snapped a few hours ago — as it was still snowing up high — from the resort on the shore of South Lake Tahoe, looking up from Heavenly Village.

Heavenly received more than four inches on the upper mountain. Click here to view some video of children doing what they do when the white stuff starts gathering on the ground.

In fact, the entire Lake Tahoe region was getting snow Friday, even at the lake level. It also was snowing in Reno, so this is a cold, wintry storm,  which we suspect will reach Mammoth tonight.

Alas, the weather will warm up during the week and the coverage may shrink fast. But it's an indication of things to come ... we hope.

—Pete Thomas

Photo: Heavenly Mountain Resort

Hurricane Norbert to affect fishing?

In what seems a transitional period on the saltwater fishing scene, Outposts has asked 976-TUNA founder Philip Friedman for a weekend synopsis. It follows:

Weather dominates the sportfishing story today. To the north, we have our first major winter storm generating wind gusts to 50 knots and offshore seas to 24 feet. The winds are expected to arrive locally tonight.

To the south, Hurricane Norbert continues to move up the Baja California peninsula, sending San Diego long-range boats scurrying from excellent fishing at Alijos Rocks.

The Polaris Supreme reported consistent yellowfin tuna and dorado action at Aliijos Rocks yesterday. Today the Polaris Supreme crew's main concern was to head north and out of the path of Norbert.

The two weather systems present an interesting scenario. Will the winds and high seas from the northern storm reduce water temps and end our offshore tuna bite, or will the push of warm water from Norbert prolong our season even further?

The Big Game 90 reported excellent fishing returning from Guadalupe Island off Baja California this morning. Its passengers caught yellowtail, dorado, yellowfin tuna, albacore and marlin. "This is what every fall trip should be like," reported Big Game 90 skipper Mike Jewitt. "It will be interesting to see if Norbert flushes even more fish our way."

Bongos III anglers caught six yellowfin tuna on a trip out of Newport Beach on Thursday. "There are still plenty of yellowfin tuna here," said skipper Joe Berrian. "We just have to make it through this blow."

Maybe the safest bet for this weekend is a local half-day trip. Anglers aboard the Southern Cal out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach, experienced wide-open bonito fishing this morning, only a half-mile from Long Beach Harbor.

Photo: Dennis Saylors poses with a 114-pound yellowfin caught aboard the Independence off Baja California. Some long-range boats on Friday had to leave productive fishing grounds because of Hurricane Norbert. Credit: Bill Roecker/Fishingvideos.com

Hurricane Norbert closing in on Baja California Sur

Many have expressed concern about Hurricane Norbert, as it approaches the west coast of Baja California Sur. Though a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch are in effect in the Los Cabos and East Cape regions, as well as La Paz, the center of the storm is still expected to pass to the north of these areas.

The eye of the hurricane, as of 8 a.m., was 275 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas. It's expected to veer in a northeasterly direction later today. When the storm, which currently boasts 100-mph winds, makes landfall Saturday morning, its center will be about 200 miles north of Land's End.

Above is a photo of the Cabo San Lucas marina, taken Friday morning by Tracy Ehrenberg from her office at Pisces Sportfishing.

"Absolutely no problem," Ehrenberg reported. "Sun has just come out. Zero rain. Zero wind and no waves."

It is undoubtedly a different scenario, or soon will be, around the peninsula and up along the Pacific coast.

Below is a three-day projection supplied by the National Hurricane Center. The center is sending an aircraft to the storm area this afternoon.

Weekend travelers should consult travel agencies and airlines for possible delays.

--Pete Thomas

Hurricane Norbert: Mexico issues warning

People with plans to visit Cabo San Lucas and nearby areas in Baja California Sur this weekend are asking about Hurricane Norbert. They should check with airlines and travel agents, but the brunt of the storm probably will be felt well to the north.

However, Mexico has issued a hurricane warning for much of the region, including Cabo San Lucas. This means hurricane conditions are possible within or beyond 36 hours.

The National Hurricane Center graphic above was issued, along with the advisory, at 8 p.m. Thursday. It shows the storm's center passing about 200 miles north of Cabo San Lucas and, on the peninsula's east coast, far north of La Paz.

The northernmost city included in the hurricane warning is Loreto. The center of the Category 1 hurricane, with 90-mph winds, is 350 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, but Norbert will pick up speed Friday and is expected to make landfall near Magdalena Bay on Saturday morning.

— Pete Thomas

Hurricane Norbert: the latest update

It now looks as if Hurricane Norbert will make landfall at about noon Saturday in the Magdalena Bay area of Baja California Sur. This is good news for travelers to Cabo San Lucas, but not great news for visitors to and residents of La Paz on the peninsula's east shore.

Norbert's center probably will pass to the north of La Paz, but its effects will be felt in the form of wind and rain.

Here is the latest three-day forecast from the National Hurricane Center:

NORBERT IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 5 MPH. A TURN TO THE NORTH-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED BY TONIGHT. NORBERT IS FORECAST TO TURN NORTH AND NORTH-NORTHEAST WITH AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED ON FRIDAY.

REPORTS FROM AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT
THE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 90 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. NORBERT IS NOW A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME ADDITIONAL WEAKENING IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 35 MILES FROM THE CENTER. AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140 MILES.

-- Pete Thomas

Sailor Zac Sunderland talks about self-defense

Some were critical of Outposts on Wednesday for publishing the fact that solo adventure sailor Zac Sunderland carries a gun.

I was merely gleaning from Sunderland’s blog, after reading about his recollection of placing bullets into a pistol, as a last resort, when he thought he might be falling under attack by pirates.

Thankfully, the culprits turned out to be passing fishermen, most likely, in a rickety 60-foot boat.

I reached Sunderland on his satellite phone Wednesday afternoon (Thursday morning where he was sailing, in the Indian Ocean) and the 16-year-old from Thousand Oaks said maritime law allows possession of guns on the open sea.

Since leaving Marina del Rey in June, Sunderland has turned his pistol over to authorities during each port of call. He picks it up before departing.

He does not plan on using a weapon. In fact, he said of Tuesday’s scare, involving a close approach of a large wooden boat that did not show on his radar and with a crew that did not respond to radio calls:

“I’m not sure how useful it’d be if there was a boat full of pirates. But I didn’t get to find out, so it’s a good thing, I guess.”

Sunderland, who is headed toward Cocos Keeling Islands and then on to Mauritius, is attempting to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the planet.

He's a little more than 10,000 miles into the journey.

--Pete Thomas

Photo credit: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times
Caption: Zac Sunderland, pictured in June preparing for a year-long journey aboard a 36-foot sailboat, has been on watch for suspicious vessels in the Indian Ocean.

Hurricane Norbert expected to miss Cabo San Lucas

Two people have inquired about the status of Hurricane Norbert, which is southwest of Cabo San Lucas but veering north and slightly to the east. Above is the National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. five-day projection. As you can see, it is expected to pass over the Baja California peninsula north of Land's End.

Another forecast will be issued this afternoon. Weekend flights should be OK if the storm continues on this path, but expect rain and big swells on the Pacific side through the weekend.

Tracy Ehrenberg, who owns Pisces Sportfishing, told me one hour ago that boats were out at the fishing grounds and seas were calm, but she expects the port captain, whom she describes as "extremely jittery," to close the port Friday.

Norbert, if he remains on the forecasted course, should not pose too much of a problem for Cabo tourists. But Tropical Storm Odile is not far behind and may become an issue for vacationers by the middle of next week.

Outposts will share news as it comes in.

-- Pete Thomas

L.A. scuba diver produces at Sulawesi, Indonesia

Ken Kurtis owns Reef Seekers Dive Company in Beverly Hills and spends much of his free time scuba diving.

He organizes frequent local trips but also travels the world extensively and recently returned from Sulawesi in Indonesia.

Specifically, the L.A.-based group Kurtis accompanied explored pristine reefs as guests of Murex Dive Resorts & Liveaboards. As you can see, it’s a colorful existence, and Kurtis, who shared these images, likes to get up-close and personal with his subjects.

Above is a large turtle. Below is a skunk clownfish, and beneath that is a blue-girdled angelfish. Kurtis used a Nikon D200 with dual Nikon SB-105 strobes, and various lenses. Outposts thanks him for sharing and wishes to express strong envy of his lifestyle.

When we caught up to Kurtis this morning, he was en route to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, where he volunteers as an exhibit diver. This man just can't seem to keep his head above water.

-- Pete Thomas

Hurricane Norbert to hit Cabo San Lucas?

Hurricane Norbert has tracked to the northwest and may veer to the north, then east, which would indicate a possible Baja California landfall. Too early to tell just yet but here is the 8 p.m. advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center:

INTERESTS IN THE SOUTHERN BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA SHOULD MONITOR
THE PROGRESS OF NORBERT.

AT 800 PM PDT...0300Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE NORBERT WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 17.1 NORTH...LONGITUDE 111.8 WEST OR ABOUT 420 MILES
...675 KM...SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA.

NORBERT IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH...15 KM/HR...AND
A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE NORTH IS EXPECTED ON THURSDAY FOLLOWED BY
A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST ON FRIDAY WITH SOME INCREASE IN
FORWARD SPEED.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 135 MPH...215 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. NORBERT IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. NORBERT SHOULD BEGIN TO WEAKEN BY LATE
TOMORROW AND STEADY WEAKENING IS FORECAST BEGIN ON FRIDAY.

And here's the latest post by the forecasters at Surfline, looking at the Cabo San Lucas area:

"As of this afternoon, Hurricane Norbert was located about 460 miles south off the end of Baja. Norbert has reached Category 4 hurricane force,with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115kts and it looks like he'll stay Cat 4 for most of Thursday. Norbert is currently tracking WNW at 8 kts and he's expected to shift to a more northerly then northeast course during the second half of the week. At this point it looks like Norbert will run into southern Baja Sur as a Category 2 hurricane on Saturday.

"Norbert's S swell steadily builds into all exposed areas of Baja Sur on Thursday with consistent easily overhead to double overhead plus surf for lots of spots and much bigger stuff at top breaks. Still OK weather on Thursday. More size as the hurricane swell shifts SSW on Friday but that's when ESE to SE winds kick up through the day and the rain is due to move in. Saturday blows up as Norbert is due to slam into southern Baja Sur with hurricane waves, winds and weather. Any area near Norbert gets hammered then and many roads become impassable. We'll do an update tomorrow so stay tuned for the lastest Norbert news!"

For fishermen, looks like another period of port closures. Stay tuned...

--Pete Thomas

Image provided by National Hurricane Center