Hurricane Wilma - Cat. 5

[cjrciadt]

NOt confirmed in O Town, lots of instibility here in Central FL.

[feederband]

Whats the population of the Keys minus 20%..?

[Weatherboy1]

And they're almost completely surrounding the eye now. No wonder winds are up to 110 mph. I decided today to go ahead and finish shuttering ALL my windows here, even the ones sheltered by the overhanging porch roof/second story. Seems like that was the right thing to do after all (though my body's aching because of it!!)

Guess the GFDL wasn't crazy when it was hinting at strengthening up until landfall. We could have a minimal Cat 3 at landfall in SW FL and Cat 2 winds here at the "exit point" on the east coast (I'm in Jupiter, roughly where the eye is forecast to move offshore). Nothing to report yet, by the way other than some breezy conditions here at dusk. Today was a beautiful day ... no rain to speak of and surprisingly more sun than I expected. I'll try to report in as the power allows.

[curtinnc]

She's trying to make one last run at it. I love this stuff. I almost feel as though I'm watching a great fighter near the end of a long and distinguished career, digging deep for one last big effort. And this is *probably* the end of hurricane season, as far as US landfalls are concerned.

Don't kill me for saying so, but this is compelling drama.

Same here Patrick! This is quite the storm to take us into the off season. Wilma definitely is fitting for such a bedROCK of a storm!!!!

[CronkPSU]

not sure what loops CNN/FOx are using (different ones) but man, take a look at the way this thing has become better organized today...looks super strong o nthe loops they are using now

[MiamiensisWx]

What does 110KT flight-level winds equate to winds at the surface? Is it a Category Three now? I thought that 110KT flight-level winds equate to around 96KT at the surface, which would be rounded off to 100KT surface winds, or Category Three strength.

[Patrick99]

She's a Cat 3 now..Looks Better than Jeanne ever did last year...I say 120 at 11

Jeanne was pretty impressive at landfall - but Wilma is getting there. I guess you can't underestimate a circulation that was at one point 882 mb. She certainly blows Frances out of the water.

[Brent]

What does 110KT flight-level winds equate to winds at the surface? Is it a Category Three now? I thought that 110KT flight-level winds equate to around 96KT at the surface, which would be rounded off to 100KT surface winds, or Category Three strength.

99 kt using the 90% reduction.

[DESTRUCTION5]

What does 110KT flight-level winds equate to winds at the surface? Is it a Category Three now? I thought that 110KT flight-level winds equate to around 96KT at the surface, which would be rounded off to 100KT surface winds, or Category Three strength.

Lets Get real here we all seen enough of these this year to KNOW that this is currently a CAT 3 Cane..

[feederband]

I guess Wilma didn't know about the shear...

[curtadams]

Those are very disturbing pics. People were saying she was getting better organized when she wasn't but she's been organizing for real for several hours now and that last change is a BIG difference.

[Lowpressure]

What does 110KT flight-level winds equate to winds at the surface? Is it a Category Three now? I thought that 110KT flight-level winds equate to around 96KT at the surface, which would be rounded off to 100KT surface winds, or Category Three strength.

Lets Get real here we all seen enough of these this year to KNOW that this is currently a CAT 3 Cane..

With a big ole wind field.

[stormynorfolk]

Just talked to friends insisting on staying on Little Torch Key... seems the opinion of most down there is that it won't be 'that bad'. I wish everyone staying the best... this could be much more than you originally anticipated.

[stu]

I am in Napels right now - I have to report that there are still at alot of people about - the level of Apathy is just astounding - I am almost horse will talking so much - trying to get people to move North - but no one listens - I heard that some 75% of prople are still here and I have also seen a lot of people still in Fort Myers as well ... I will report back a later.

[thermos]

Those are very disturbing pics. People were saying she was getting better organized when she wasn't but she's been organizing for real for several hours now and that last change is a BIG difference.

She was organizing a while ago just very slowly. She needed that to be able to strengthen like she is now.

[Raebie]

Lots of cold cloud tops there...looks like the eye is being squeezed. What's up with that?

[Mississippi Storm Magnet]

you can't compare Rita and Katrina's damage to potential damage down here. Their codes up there were not anywhere near what they are down here.

Wind damage, yes you are right. Water, no. Those "supercodes" are designed for high winds, not 30 foot storm surges.

Most of the horrendous damage wasn't caused by wind. I live 5 miles inland, and got 8 feet of water in my house. Me, along with most others affected, would have escaped serious damage if it had not been for the surge.

Although, I only think people on the immediate Florida coast have to worry about the surge from Wilma. Those super codes will protect many inland homes down there. I hope we enact those same codes up here.

[JtSmarts]

Lots of cold cloud tops there...looks like the eye is being squeezed. What's up with that?

Hmmm, I think she might be trying to contract a little.

[Mississippi Storm Magnet]

you can't compare Rita and Katrina's damage to potential damage down here. Their codes up there were not anywhere near what they are down here.

Wind damage, yes you are right. Water, no. Those "supercodes" are designed for high winds, not 30 foot storm surges.

Most of the horrendous damage wasn't caused by wind. I live 5 miles inland, and got 8 feet of water in my house. Me, along with most others affected, would have escaped serious damage if it had not been for the surge.

Although, I only think people on the immediate Florida coast have to worry about the surge from Wilma. Those super codes will protect many inland homes down there. I hope we enact those same codes up here.

[WindRunner]

Wow. Can't wait until recon hits the NE eyewall . . . that'll be interesting.