[nwctwx]

It’s a very bad situation I think, with hurricane force winds so expansive and pressures so low there is likely to be an extra large surge (in addition to possibly more significant winds than Katrina brought).

[txhurl]

We just have to think King Ranch King Ranch King Ranch...

[arkady_renko]

The Storm Prediction Center now has a tab for it under the Mesoscale Analysis page. Here is an image of the pressure and wind chart:

Probably a few hours old, but shows how steep the pressure drop off is. If anyone wants to check in at the SPC it is at www.spc.noaa.gov/

That will be the best site to keep an eye out for tornadic activity in the next few days.

[lainie]

I will read that info on Jeff Masters, thanks for the link!

Speaking of him, he said this at his last update: "Ike has a good chance of becoming the most destructive hurricane in Texas history--though not the most powerful."

I also wondered if you saw the photo from inside Ike's eye posted there yesterday. What a pic.. the side looks like an icy mountain of evil cotton candy.

[Chasaway]

"...with hurricane force winds so expansive and pressures so low there is likely to be an extra large surge...

With regards to possible surge expectations: I live on North Padre Island, just outside of Corpus. Assuming Ike makes landfall in the Matagorda Bay/Palacios area as a Cat 3, what are the likely conditions on the west/south side of the storm where we live? Say 90 to 100 miles away?

Is there any way to get an idea?