Irene: The Obit That Was Not Published

[donsutherland1]

Deep into the night, weather weenies huddled together fearing the worst. The mood was grim as the night was dark. Candles flickered as hope hung by a mere breath and sometimes less.

By the time the eastern sky saw its first glimmers of light and a new day was emerging from the night's womb, they feared that Irene would be but a memory. They prayed with growing desperation. They turned to the models for hope. Even an outlier would be better than nothing. In whatever model brought life to Irene, they would trust.

Sometime before 5 am, the following draft obituary was passed on to the NHC for approval:

Irene--Tropical Storm: August 4-10, 2005

Made history as the Atlantic Basin's earliest ninth storm on record. The tropical depression that became Irene was born on August 4 21z at 12.7N 34.5W. On August 7 15z, the storm was officially designated "Irene." Over her tragically-shortened life, she had been the subject of intense debate and discussion. Her early promise was unmistakable. Her courage in fighting off the combined impact of vicious shear and a powerful trough that tried to recurve her will be remembered long after she succumbed from her heroic exertions. She is survived by a few isolated bursts of convection.

The NHC believed that she was near death but would not bite. "GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTIES HOWEVER...IT IS PRUDENT TO WAIT FOR VISIBLE IMAGERY BEFORE DISSIPATING OR RELOCATING THE CYCLONE," came the NHC's reply at 5 am on August 10.

The vigil went on. Weather weenies--clinging to the kind of tenacious belief that a winter storm was likely even deep into the spring with its balmy south winds in full bloom that has distinguished them as a special breed--would not give up.

At 11 am, wild cheers erupted from the previously mournful crowd. "...IRENE GETTING A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED OVER THE OPEN ATLANTIC...," was the breaking news from the NHC. The weenies' outlook had grown as bright as the near midday sun. They were renewed in the idea that life was still beautiful.

At last word, a celebration for the redesignation of Irene as a tropical storm was being rushed to completion. Plans for a possible hurricane party were also in the works.

Irene would die another day. Until then, weenies everywhere had much to look forward to and Irene would continue to hold them spellbound with every burst of convection and for every mile she tracked across the Atlantic.

[cycloneye]

A great obit don thanks for posting it.

[ncbird]

Just love this... and every word is soooo true.

[Trader Ron]

Too Funny..

[wxwatcher91]

Irene would die another day.

or will she???

[EDR1222]

Definately true though!