Tropical Storm Katrina expected to strengthen

[phantom power]

The tropical depression that popped up in the Atlantic has gained strength, and is now named Tropical Storm Katrina, with maximum sustained winds of at least 40 mph. Florida will begin feeling the effects of the storm overnight into Thursday. Meanwhile, torrential rain is expected through the day across parts of the Bahamas including Long Island, Cat Island and Eluthera.
http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/?from=wxcenter_news

[MercutioATC]

1. No "Katrina and the Waves" jokes yet?

Maybe when we start to get pictures....

[wli]

3. I'm walking on sunshine already. n/t

[MercutioATC]

4. Thanks!

:hi:

[jpak]

2. Looks like the western FL Panhadle is under the gun next week

Not like we're used to this shit by now...

[skids]

5. Swinging more into the gulf. Winds up to 60-70mph from 40.

Last night only one computer model predicted a swing into the gulf and up through the panhandle. Now more do.

(The dark blue plot is the one that predicted the westward trend. Click to enlarge.)

[phantom power]

6. Those gulf waters sure are warm, too. Mostly 87F.

[jpak]

8. There were some buoy reports last week of 89-90 degree temps

of the western FL Panhandle.

not good...

[phantom power]

9. Wow. good luck with that.

Say, I bet you can answer this question: Every time you guys get a hurricane, I see the usual footage of Floridians screwing plywood over their windows. It always makes me wonder: Are all of your window frames chewed up with hundreds of screw holes, or do you re-use the same holes over and over?

[jpak]

10. Most people I know have predrilled holes

It's still a pain in the ass though...

:)

[jpak]

7. Yikes!

n/t

[phantom power]

11. Katrina now a hurricane as it nears landfall

Katrina freshly upgraded to a hurricane is currently centered about 25 miles east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida with maximum sustained winds at 75 mph. It is moving slowly to the west at about 6 mph.

The system has intensified to minimal hurricane strength just before an anticipated Florida landfall in the next few hours. Hurricane warnings are posted from Florida City to Vero Beach along Florida's east coast and for Lake Okeechobee. Tropical storm warnings have been dropped from the northwest Bahamas except for Berry and Bimini Islands. Tropical storm watches are posted across southwestern portions of Florida. The primary threat from Katrina is from heavy rainfall.


http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/?from=wxcenter_news

[skids]

12. Dropping back to "storm" but now CAT2 2nd landfall.

Winds now down from 80 to 70. NHC estimated path shifted slightly into the gulf, but not as much as many of the individual computer sims.

[skids]

13. CAT3 second landfall predicted. And who knows where?

This one's taking the NHC on a wild horseride.

Oh, BTW, about that plywood -- I notice the names of hurricanes painted on plywood people were putting up on the news. Is that a "notch in the belt" or is there some other reason to keep track?

[phantom power]

14. Those gulf waters are REALLY warm. I wouldn't rule out any category.

If all other conditions become favorable, this could become a real monster, in record time.

[skids]

15. Yep, the predicted CAT2 arrival point keeps moving...

...further out to sea. Winds now 100mph. Models are also shifting landfall back westward again. Really would not be surprized to see some red CAT3 lines show up on the next update.

[phantom power]

16. Now they're talking possible cat-4.

[skids]

17. Yep. Airborne "red tide" anyone?

The Red Tide's sick of hanging out patiently offshore. Now it's comin ta getcha!