Newbie from Jax here with a some questions...

[slick]

First of all, I love this site and try to tell all that I can about it. I found it last year and will always use it for ref.

Now, after coming to this site since last year, I have learned that "nothing" is for sure when predicting where these types of storms will go. Just to many variables to consider.

That being said, "if" it goes north and comes ashore in the Tampa area,(God Bless Tampa if it does), what kind of effects could we see in the Jax Fl area. Does anyone think it will weaken before it comes ashore? If so, about how much?

I pray that anyone in the path of this storm will take the proper steps to ensure their safety and their families too.



and oh yeah, I almost forgot......... "HOLY CRAP"

[HurricaneGirl]

Holy Crap!

[sponger]

It will be a large storm so a Tampa hit would likely see sustained cat 2 winds over N Florida. This is likely a worse case scenario. The current track would see sustained sub tropical storm with higher gusts. It all depends on the angle and how large the wind field gets.

The good news is unlike Francis and jeanne last year, we will be on the weak side.

[ChaserUK]

Hi Slick and Welcome to Storm2K (gosh I sound like a mod for a USA site from the UK hehehe).

Anyway, Wilma is over very deep and very warm water - one possible explanation for the rapid intensification - I say one possible as I have never seen a storm like this.

Regarding strength on landfall. Nothing would surprise me this year so I will not make any predictions. All I can say is the waters around Tampa are relatively cooler so weakening is certain - a storm this size would need constant SST's which is has now to maintain current intensity.

Plus you have a forecasted increase wind shear. All signs point to this weakening but I will not guess by how much.

Review Hurricane evac plans, get your hurricane kit ready, just prepare correctly just in case.