Irene...the little engine that could!

[AnthonyC]

Wow, this is an impressive storm. Not for its intensity or strength, but for its duration and longevity. This storm has beaten the odds the past week and continues to plow through hostile atmospheric conditions. Atmospheric conditions will improve over the coming days and Irene should continue to strengthen. I say she makes landfall in North Carolina as a category 2 hurricane...winds of 100 mph.

Anthony

[Steve H.]

This ridge is stronger than the models are banking on, and it will retrograde to the west on Sunday. That part of the discussion was clear in Stewarts statements. I actually think she's at a 275 heading, if you folow her through the overcast from right to left then see her poke out the SW side. Don't be surprised if the models shift further left tomorrow night. DT hit this one on the head. If the overall pattern changes again, we'll see him issue a new forecast. But right now the ridge seems to be a lock in the SE. Again it comes down to timing. denpending on how far north she gets before the ridge blocks her will dictate where she ends up making a landfall.

[gatorcane]

it's not moving 285 at all....it's more like 275....

[jimpsummers]

She has been so persistent through bad conditions... I'm afraid of what will happen if and when she encounters favorable conditions . At least the media hasn't gone wall-to-wall yet, but if she becomes a tropical storm again and is strengthening tomorrow with a forecast hit in the Carolinas by Monday... I'll go ahead and issue a Jim Cantore Watch for Myrtle Beach...

[TampaFl]

... I'll go ahead and issue a Jim Cantore Watch for Myrtle Beach...

[luvcanescarol]

Thank You for the Jim Cantore reference. It is the first time today I heartily laughed out loud.

[huricanwatcher]

... I'll go ahead and issue a Jim Cantore Watch for Myrtle Beach...

OH CRAP haterus for sure now...... ya just jinxed us.......