[Strategerist]

For a Five-day forecast, that's identical for all practical purposes.

Though one thing about Charley is that strangely people seem to have a very inflated notion of the distances between various places on the Western Florida coast; I've seen amazing exagerrations of the distance between Tampa and Punta Gorda, etc.

[sheikdetailfeather]

5pm per WFTV the path has shifted slightly south. Of course, this is early in the game.

[Marak]

--For a Five-day forecast, that's identical for all practical purposes. --

I disagree. Florida is a 400 mile penisula and I live on the extreme southwestern tip. If a Cat 3 is hitting here, I need to get out, but the only path is northward. If the storm is going to hit even 50 miles to the north, I am better off staying put.

Katrina passed 40 miles south of us with no ill effects. Charlie passed 50 miles to the west of us and hit 60 miles north of us with no damage.
Andrew passing 20 miles south of us caused widespread damage, but that would be nothing compared to a direct hit.

While you are correct that a 5-day forecast is iffy at best, it is still the best information we have available at the moment to start making plans. Bear in mind that there is no 'high ground' down here to evacuate to, so the forecast will be what determines the extent of evacuation.

[NautiNurse]

For a Five-day forecast, that's identical for all practical purposes.

Not if you live here. It's a world of difference for coastal dwellers who must determine evacuation plans.