Puttering Ophelia

Looks like Hurricane Ophelia (again) will leave us hanging for a couple more days yet before eventually heading towards us. Today’s 5 PM forecast has it headed towards the Wilmington, NC area as a Cat 1 hurricane and heading inland briefly before turning back out to sea. This storm’s been making more turns and wobbles than a drunk frat boy wandering down Whyte Ave…
The uncertainty in the forecast track is pretty broad though, so it’s still one to keep a close eye on. Time to start gathering up those loose items cluttering up the yard.

OPHELIA IS A LARGE CYCLONE WITH TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTENDING UP TO 130 N MI FROM THE CENTER. THE UPPER-LEVEL ENVIRONMENT IS FORECAST TO BE ONLY MARGINAL FOR STRENGTHENING…AND THE OCEAN IS A LITTLE BIT COOLER DUE TO THE UPWELLING. THEREFORE…ONLY A SLIGHT STRENGTHENING IS INDICATED. IN FACT…NEITHER SHIPS NOR THE GFDL MODELS BRING THE HURRICANE ABOVE 80 KNOTS.