[topher]

First, I should state that I am not an expert on the study of weather... But after reading a number of these forecast discussions, I think I am able to interpret at least some of the data...

There is some cause, perhaps, to put this in the humor section -- except that I believe it to be based on fact. The High Pressure system over Texas is literally reducing the strength of Hurricane Ike

Note that the information from the 5 PM EDT DISCUSSION will be updated at 11 PM EDT and is updated each 6 hours (at least) as long as the storm is a threat -- Hurricane, Tropical Storm, or Tropical Depression...

[topher]

Oops!

Those Texas [Texans] and their bragging... Maybe that the source of all of that hot air...

[MAD-AS-HELL]

So global warming not only can giveth hurricanes but can taketh them away as well? :P

[Zakeet]

All you Freepers who said bad things about this Houston Rat should realize that for
once, you're wrong!

[dfwgator]

It’s Chuck Norris blowing at the storm.

[Man50D]

The Weather Channel just reported an eye appears to be reforming as shown by the satellite imagery.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Important update coming @ 10pm CST

[metmom]

It still is predicted to make landfall as a Category 3.

From the discussion:

Indeed... convection on the west side of Ike has been rather thin for much of the day. However...this latter upper feature is forecast to slide northeastward as Ike enters the northwestern Gulf...and in this configuration would provide an upper pattern more conducive to strengthening right before landfall.

Because of the very large expanse of hurricane force winds...Ike will create a storm surge well in excess of what would normally be associated with a storm of its intensity.

Ike is very close to making landfall. Even if the hurricane weakens some before then and the winds are not as much of an issue, the storm surge is still to be reckoned with.

Don't get your hopes up. In meteorology you can't count on anything.

[FlyVet]

Not that I wish anyone hurricane harm, but I'm darn disappointed in the predicted path.

I wanted the remnants to dump rain on AZ, and it's curling north and east after it hits shore. Dang it!

[deport]

This storm is packing a lot of water in the form of surges....... That will be the most devastating thing to come from it most likely. The following from the forecast:

---

Coastal storm surge flooding of up to 20 feet above normal tide
levels...along with large and dangerous battering waves...can be
expected near and to the east of where the center of Ike makes
landfall...except at the heads of bays...where surge flooding of up
to 25 feet could occur. Coastal storm surge flooding of 6 to 8 feet above normal tide levels...along with large and dangerous
waves...can be expected within the Tropical Storm Warning area
along the northern Gulf Coast. Above normal tides in the eastern
Gulf of Mexico should gradually subside over the next day or so.
end snip

[ExpatGator]

“TEXANS are blowing”

Color me unsurprised!

[mortal19440]

Don’t mess with Texas!!!!!!

[smokingfrog]

Funny, I'm watching the 10pm update on channel 11 news right now, and guess who is standing right next to Mayor White -- Sheila Jackson Lee! She just feels lonely without a TV camera nearby.

We've been complaining about the dry weather of the last few weeks, but in this case it may be a blessing. Ike is a strange one! Hope it keeps tracking toward the east a little more. Ohh! Sheila is talking NOW! Let us hear her words of wisdom.... We have 9 FEMA teams on the ground and all the commodities necessary for after the storm, blah blah blahhhh.

What is going to get us on this one seems to be the storm surge because of the size of the storm.

[Hazwaste]

Feeling somewhat better now that a Cat 4 eyewall isn’t bearing down on my little town of Needville, but feel so bad for the folks on the coast. What a heartbreak.

[Jimmy Valentine]

As of 7:30AM Eastern time the news people are saying winds of 140mph and a storm surge of at least 20 feet. Galveston's sea wall is between 15-17 feet.

The Governor has told people to get out or they are in serious danger of drowning.

[valkyry1]

‘Houston decides to stare down Ike instead of leave’

http://channels.isp.netscape.com/news/story.jsp?flok=FF-APO-1110&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20080912%2F0705068226.htm&sc=1110&floc=NI-nelead