Yeah the BOUY's and pressure readings are the most telling in this storm, IMHO. The BOUY's are at sea level and the pressure is very reliable as far as I can tell.
Here is a link to many of the BOUY's
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/radial_search.php?lat1=26.9N&lon1=89.0W&dist=250&time=3
Yup, you and I are hanging out in the same area tonight. I've been all OVER that page!
My dad uses the weather bouys before going out on Lake Superior with his buddies in their 35 foot boat. They check 4 or 5 bouys and get an idea which way the wind is blowing, and plan accordingly. Their main concern is, however, where the fish are likely to be feeding heavily. The wind blows stuff off of ships crossing the Lake, and the fish come up and gobble the corn and wheat. Proven by cutting open their bellies and finding corn, not even wet yet, still dry and hard.
Interesting. < yawn >