Moderate tropical storm in NE Fla--why the Cane Watch???

[Anonymous]

I personally dont expect this storm to weaken as fast as the NHC predicts so the Cane Watch looks in order IMHO. However, The NHC Forecasts this to be a moderate tropical storm by the time its just south of Jacksonville...
48HR VT 27/0000Z 29.5N 81.8W 45 KT...INLAND
So why they Hurricane watch? Local mets advertising that this will likely be upgraded to a hurricane warning tomorrow. Is the NHC not sure that this will weaken to a Tropical storm or will the Cane watches likely be lowered tomorrow? I remember Frances making it all the way across fla and barely dropping to tropical storm strength after spending more time inland than the 12 hrs Jeanne will have been inland by this time. Any thoughts

[Foladar]

Prob just incase there are hurricane gusts?

[PurdueWx80]

Probably has to do with the uncertainty in the track along the seaboard, but also, there will likely be hurricane force gusts all along the coast.

[Anonymous]

Sounds good--earlier, it was forecasted to be a cane all the way to the Ga Boarder... I was just wonderring why they are forecasting a stronger storm at landfall but a more rapid weakenning now thereafter-Looks almost like theres gonna be something in the upper levels weakenning it quicker but they made no mention of it.... This could mean an Evac order will not be needed in Jacksonville in the morning when the mayor is supposed to make the call---75kt storm in Jax was expected ealier today--now a 45kt storm is expected though no real change in track-thats less than we saw with frances--Im gonna listen to what they say but with frances, the Mayor waited till 6pm to open shelters and I drove in the peak to a friends house cuz It was getting rather hairy here but he had said to stay home then changed it when the power was out all over the place including my place and a neighbor told me it was ok to evac then. Guess We'll see what he says iin the Morning