Ominous looking Caribbean this a.m......

[dixiebreeze]

My issue with these types of postings is that relatively "uneducated in tropical weather" readers will see some of these posts and start the mass spreading of misinformation.

"I see banding in the blob in the gulf"

- it's just a blob, there's 30kt shear over it, and nobody else sees it

- it's headed to Florida - all "it" is, well, is rain.

Knee jerk actions and reactions are counterproductive for storm2k and for the overall community.

I agree... it's not even that ominous. The convection isn't organized, it flares up and down. A Cat 4 hurricane bearing down IS ominous and worthy of panic.

Have to say I did not detect any "panic" in any posts on this thread.

[Brent]

The whole mess is moving towards FL

This... it's only a little water. Not going to hurt anyone.

[HurryKane]

My issue with these types of postings is that relatively "uneducated in tropical weather" readers will see some of these posts and start the mass spreading of misinformation.

"I see banding in the blob in the gulf"

- it's just a blob, there's 30kt shear over it, and nobody else sees it

- it's headed to Florida - all "it" is, well, is rain.

Knee jerk actions and reactions are counterproductive for storm2k and for the overall community.

I agree... it's not even that ominous. The convection isn't organized, it flares up and down. A Cat 4 hurricane bearing down IS ominous and worthy of panic.

Have to say I did not detect any "panic" in any posts on this thread.

Does the eek! emoticon ( ) not convey some sort of panic or fear? Maybe even to the smallest degree?

And now, I would like to smite myself for actually discussing at any length, the meaning of emoticons.

[dixiebreeze]

It's either:

1) -removed-

2) An uneducated user

3) Building hype for no reason

either way, its bad.

Isn't that a bit sanctimonious for a weather forum!!!??? A considerable collection of convection is indeed ominous -- for the areas it will impact.

[GalvestonDuck]

It's either:

1) -removed-

2) An uneducated user

3) Building hype for no reason

either way, its bad.

-removed- - bad
Hype - bad
Uneducated user - not bad

Everyone should keep in mind that members here have different levels of knowledge and concern about the weather. Some people are just now learning the basics, while others are very knowledgable and well-versed in meteorology. The best way to help someone who may be making uneducated statements about the weather is to educate them. Furthermore, we need to remember that this forum is for discussions, opinions, and learning -- and all levels are welcome. However, nothing anyone says here should be taken as an "official" forecast and anyone who assumes that these statements are official could be making a grave error.

[dixiebreeze]

It's either:

1) -removed-

2) An uneducated user

3) Building hype for no reason

either way, its bad.

-removed- - bad
Hype - bad
Uneducated user - not bad

Everyone should keep in mind that members here have different levels of knowledge and concern about the weather. Some people are just now learning the basics, while others are very knowledgable and well-versed in meteorology. The best way to help someone who may be making uneducated statements about the weather is to educate them. Furthermore, we need to remember that this forum is for discussions, opinions, and learning -- and all levels are welcome. However, nothing anyone says here should be taken as an "official" forecast and anyone who assumes that these statements are official could be making a grave error.

Thank you, GalvestonDuck, for the sage analysis.

[wxcrazytwo]

It's either:

1) -removed-

2) An uneducated user

3) Building hype for no reason

either way, its bad.

-removed- - bad
Hype - bad
Uneducated user - not bad

Everyone should keep in mind that members here have different levels of knowledge and concern about the weather. Some people are just now learning the basics, while others are very knowledgable and well-versed in meteorology. The best way to help someone who may be making uneducated statements about the weather is to educate them. Furthermore, we need to remember that this forum is for discussions, opinions, and learning -- and all levels are welcome. However, nothing anyone says here should be taken as an "official" forecast and anyone who assumes that these statements are official could be making a grave error.

Duckie, you deserve an oscar for that performance. I ma learning a lot here...

[GalvestonDuck]

You're welcome, Dixie. And, thank you, wxcrazy. Glad to hear it.

[cycloneye]

And that is why we are saying to the members who may post a forecast or discussion to have a disclaimer,(See Announcement post about it) to then not have confusion about something that may be posted to be official or not.

[dhweather]

It's either:

1) -removed-

2) An uneducated user

3) Building hype for no reason

either way, its bad.

-removed- - bad
Hype - bad
Uneducated user - not bad

Everyone should keep in mind that members here have different levels of knowledge and concern about the weather. Some people are just now learning the basics, while others are very knowledgable and well-versed in meteorology. The best way to help someone who may be making uneducated statements about the weather is to educate them. Furthermore, we need to remember that this forum is for discussions, opinions, and learning -- and all levels are welcome. However, nothing anyone says here should be taken as an "official" forecast and anyone who assumes that these statements are official could be making a grave error.

My concern is that a user makes an uneducated post on a tropical forum,
indicating that there's an imminent threat or significant concern for something that's non there.

I don't mind anyone asking about the "blob at 25/75", but to say
"look out Florida " implies it's much more than a blob.
That opens up the door for another user to see this and say
"well, abc123 said that we shuld look out, this thing is coming here"

That undermines what the tropical forum is for. Education is one thing, misinformation is another.

[dixiebreeze]

DH, you're a good poster -- but nothing on this site will be entered into the Congressional Record, etc. Lighten up and enjoy the camaraderie.

[cycloneye]

Finally Western Cuba is getting much needed rain.

Yes Sandy they needed the rain badly as the drought has been very strong there.

[HurryKane]

DH, you're a good poster -- but nothing on this site will be entered into the Congressional Record, etc. Lighten up and enjoy the camaraderie.

I work near him. You want I go smack him around a little?

[melhow]

I'm personally digging all of the rain here. It's been a long while since we've had some thundery moody grey evenings and frankly it's a nice break from the 1000 degree sunlight streaming though our west-facing living room windows at 8:00 in the evening...

[GalvestonDuck]

My concern is that a user makes an uneducated post on a tropical forum,
indicating that there's an imminent threat or significant concern for something that's non there.

I don't mind anyone asking about the "blob at 25/75", but to say
"look out Florida " implies it's much more than a blob.
That opens up the door for another user to see this and say
"well, abc123 said that we shuld look out, this thing is coming here"

That undermines what the tropical forum is for. Education is one thing, misinformation is another.

He never really said, "Look out, Florida." Furthermore, I already addressed the issue about other users taking what is said here cum grano salis.

There will be panicky posts here throughout the season. It's a fact of hurricane-watching life. Try reassuring the person (and others who read those posts) if you feel they are overreacting or misinformed and explain why.

Attacking a member doesn't accomplish anything.

[dhweather]

DH, you're a good poster -- but nothing on this site will be entered into the Congressional Record, etc. Lighten up and enjoy the camaraderie.

Well thank you. I just remember the chaos here last year, and once a
named storm gets going, people will flock to storm2k - that makes
the forum more "for the record".

Now, Marshall and Chad have tried a new format to help alleviate this -
new forums for pro mets. Talkin' Tropics is still a great place to talk
and ask questions, discuss things, and even have fun. I'd hate for
someone to come here and think there's something brewing that
is far from it.

Maybe we need a myth buster like snopes.com for these kind of things.

[dixiebreeze]

DH, you're a good poster -- but nothing on this site will be entered into the Congressional Record, etc. Lighten up and enjoy the camaraderie.

I work near him. You want I go smack him around a little?

No thanks. Besides, he might smack back

[HurryKane]

DH, you're a good poster -- but nothing on this site will be entered into the Congressional Record, etc. Lighten up and enjoy the camaraderie.

I work near him. You want I go smack him around a little?

No thanks. Besides, he might smack back

Indeed. He's my brother from another mother so this wouldn't be the first time.

[Trader Ron]

Just a little rain. Something that happens EVERY YEAR at this time.

[dhweather]

Yeah, we're just like brother and sister, only different. ha ha ha