Tropical Storm Ernesto leaves Florida and heads for the Carolinas

NWS/NHC ^ | 30 August 2006 | NHC

[NautiNurse]

Ernesto is poised to emerge into Atlantic waters after feebly creeping along the Florida peninsula. Media pundits with tremulous cameras dotted Florida's extensive coastline for the past 24 hours, showing video of children playing in the sand, dark skies, and occasional rain.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect from Sebastian Inlet Florida to Cape Lookout North Carolina, as Ernesto moves north at 15mph. The storm's intensity and forecast track has puzzled forecasters for several days.

N.C. Governor Mike Easley and S.C. Governor Mark Sanford activated the National Guard today in their respective states, as the forecast track indicated Ernesto may regain tropical storm force winds, and make landfall again along the Carolinas coastline.

Public Advisories Updated every three hours.

Tropical Storm Discussion Updated every six hours

Three Day Tracking Map

Ernesto Storm Track Archive Nice animated progression of 3 & 5 day forecast tracks

Buoy Data Florida & Eastern GOM

Buoy Data Southeast U.S.

Hurricane Model Tracks

Storm Surge graphic

Radar

Jacksonville, FL
Charleston SC
Wilmington NC
RDU NC
Satellite Images

Visible Satellite Still Image

IR Image

WV Image

Additional Resources:

Central Florida Hurricane Center
Hurricane City

Category	Wind Speed	Barometric Pressure	Storm Surge	Damage Potential
Tropical Depression	< 39 mph < 34 kts			Minimal
Tropical Storm	39 - 73 mph 34 - 63 kts			Minimal
Hurricane 1 (Weak)	74 - 95 mph 64 - 82 kts	28.94" or more 980.02 mb or more	4.0' - 5.0' 1.2 m - 1.5 m	Minimal damage to vegetation
Hurricane 2 (Moderate)	96 - 110 mph 83 - 95 kts	28.50" - 28.93" 965.12 mb - 979.68 mb	6.0' - 8.0' 1.8 m - 2.4 m	Moderate damage to houses
Hurricane 3 (Strong)	111 - 130 mph 96 - 112 kts	27.91" - 28.49" 945.14 mb - 964.78 mb	9.0' - 12.0' 2.7 m - 3.7 m	Extensive damage to small buildings
Hurricane 4 (Very strong)	131 - 155 mph 113 - 135 kts	27.17" - 27.90" 920.08 mb - 944.80 mb	13.0' - 18.0' 3.9 m - 5.5 m	Extreme structural damage
Hurricane 5 (Devastating)	Greater than 155 mph Greater than 135 kts	Less than 27.17" Less than 920.08 mb	Greater than 18.0' Greater than 5.5m	Catastrophic building failures possible

Previous Threads:

Tropical Storm Ernesto
Hurricane Ernesto
TS/Hurricane/TS Ernesto
TS/Hurricane/TS/TD Ernesto

[dirtboy]

Tomorrow, just might be a long day.

That's what I'm afraid of. Thanks for your great posts over the last couple of days, and see you tomorrow!

[don-o]

But of course, That is how idiots get on TeeVee, doncha know?

[bwteim]

Originally the NHC was way west, and if raygun was ahead of them in calling it more correctly to the east, more power to him.

Later the NHC had it running into the GOM and then a right into Tampa area and you know the rest.

Skeeterbite or some other site has an animated gif of all the models over time how they change. Pretty wild gif. Someone here will remember it. I bookmarked it, but I'd need a while to find it.

Thanks again for your initial concern and comments.

[Gabz]

LOL!!! You're right........

Thanks for the update.

[AFPhys]

Thanks.

I wish we'd been more kind, that's all.

[bwteim]

Call off the dogs, I just found it!

Skeetobite Weather Animated Storm Model Plots for Tropical Storm Ernesto (2006)
http://flhurricane.com/sbanimator.php?year=2006&storm=5

It takes a while to load as there over 100 images in the loop. But it is worth it. Mother Nature outfoxing the NHC and other promets.

[AFPhys]

Neat!

[bwteim]

IMO, there has been a general change over time in how we collectively adress one another at times in terms of less respect. I think don-o said 'trigger finger'. Especially noticable if I look at threads from pre2001. Come to think of it, I signed up in 2001... hmmm...

[bwteim]

It's a keeper alright.