Reply #12: Middle and upper atmospheric currents, mainly [View All]

[Dogmudgeon]

At this time of the year they tend to be more chaotic than in July, but there is a pretty consistent W->E flow happening in the Gulf now. As soon as Wilma clears the Yucatan channel, it will be caught by the winds and steered hard east.

For the same reason, it is likely to be steered toward south Florida instead of north Florida, the Panhandle, or even New Orleans. After the storm crosses into the Atlantic, though, a different set of winds prevail, which could take the storm safely out to sea, or up the Atlantic seaboard -- or not.

--p!