The NHC was right about 1 thing... time for a crow feast!

[Pebbles]

I was quite surprised when at 2pm the hurricane watches were not updated to warnings. I figured for sure we would have a minimal hurricane on our hands by landfall and that warnings were warrented.

The NHC stood by the watch stance which ended up being the right call. Time for an order of crow-ka-bobs! Anyone else like to join in the feast?

*bows humbly to the NHC* nice call there guys!

[gatorcane]

Honestly the difference betweena 70mph TS and a minimal CAT 1 hurricane is just academic differences. In practice they are the same thing.

We all know everybody, not just the NHC had a hard-time with Ernesto. But if you look at the big picture, there were VERY few lives lost and property damaged because of their efforts.

I thank the NHC for their continuing efforts.

[NFLDART]

This was probably one of the most frustrating storms ever

[AnnularCane]

Sorry, no crow for you! It is now on the endangered species list thanks to Ernie.

[Jim Cantore]

This was truely a strange track by a strange storm.

[gatorcane]

This was truely a strange track by a strange storm.

ironically had the storm been stronger and more of a danger to people, the NHC and models would probably have had more of a handle on it. The disorganized nature of Ernesto combined with the close interaction the big islands caused some erratic movement.....

[debbiet]

I tried to attach a couple of pics from the tropical storm...it sure looks reminescent of Isabel in Gloucester and we haven't gotten to high tide yet.

[fci]

Feed me my plate of crow as I was about the loudest critic and they were right!
What a difficult storm to forecast.

[gatorcane]

Feed me my plate of crow as I was about the loudest critic and they were right!
What a difficult storm to forecast.

Yeah you were. lol.

Just giving you a hard time.

[Cyclenall]

This was probably one of the most frustrating storms ever

I was looking forward to tracking Ernesto since I tracked Chris and he was very frustrating so I thought "Finally, a straight forward storm". Nope, the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season continues to annoy people by producing weak storms and odd tracks. I'm not happy at all with this season because there has not been a storm that isn't impossible to track (except Alberto and Debby).

[Pebbles]

I don't believe there were reports of anything over 62mph and those were gusts. So unless there was reports i didn't see no one got close to hurricane force winds (this is not a complaint by any means... just an observation)

Now on the other hand I did think he was a very impressive looking TS though Really got the organization together over the gulf stream.

[NCgreenhead]

I don't believe there were reports of anything over 62mph and those were gusts. So unless there was reports i didn't see no one got close to hurricane force winds (this is not a complaint by any means... just an observation)

Now on the other hand I did think he was a very impressive looking TS though Really got the organization together over the gulf stream.

There were several reports of winds of at least 74mph at Wrightsville Beach and I also saw local mets reporting several places (Cherry Point, Cape Lookout, and Topsail Beach all had winds reported over 70 mph), I also saw another report on another boad that a independent storm chaser clocked a 79 mph sustained wind for 6 mins just north of cape fear, however this is not confirmed and the equipment is not "offical" so I doubt it will be taken seriously.

[marcane_1973]

Now on the other hand I did think he was a very impressive looking TS though Really got the organization together over the gulf stream.[/quote] Even Mark Sudduth said that this was the strongest tropical storm he had ever been in and also said Ernesto was VERY CLOSE to a minimal hurricane. Some people will probably not believe this but they were not 70ft from the ocean in the eyewall of this storm when it first came ashore.

[Pebbles]

Hum i have to find those reports now! Were those gusts or sustained winds? (the offical reports)

[wxwatcher91]

that's one thing that is consistent with 2005 and 2006. very unpredictable storms for two different reasons

[emeraldislencguy]

Iheard today on the radio that Kure Beach--near Ft. Fisher had a gust of 86 mph last night.

[NCgreenhead]

Hum i have to find those reports now! Were those gusts or sustained winds? (the offical reports)

I know the one at 74 mph at Wrightsville was reported by the weather channel and so was the 70 at Cherry Point.

As for the 6 min sustained wind of 79 mph that was from a independent storm chaser and I am trying to get the link but I cannot remember exactly where I saw it but from what I understand that equipment was car mounted and he was parked out on Cape Fear. I am sure it is not "offical" however that does not mean it is not accurate.

I also heard of a few personal weather stations that had reported gust over 80 mph but as far as I know no offical NWS stations are reporting winds that high as of yet.

[ncbird]

Even if at a later date when all the information is in, the NC land falling E is upgraded to hurricane status (IMHO I don't think it will be) the NHC did the right thing and called it as a TS, as that is the information they had on hand at the time.

I join you in the crow eating feast (please make mine with no feathers), as I too thought it was going to hit the hurricane status.

[gotoman38]

Rodanthe on the Outer Banks reported a gust of 76 mph according to local met (WRAL).

Surfs Up!

[Nimbus]

I just love this season so far! Ernesto had the potential to be a major back when he was brewing in the Caribbean. Then our luck changed and an ULL kicked up some shear and steered his track over mostly land for several days. Not quite enough time back over the gulf stream to make hurricane status. The 2006 storm shield held!