Claudette Was Apparently a Hurricane 4am-8am This Morning

[wxman57]

We got several reports from customers in the Garden Banks (deepwater lease area 40-50 miles north of Claudette this morning) of sustained 80kts for 3 hours straight an sustained 70kts for 3+ hours. One rig was in danger of going down. They said their anemometers were "pegged out" for 3 hours. Both reports were in that large squall that formed just north of the center early this morning.

I wonder if the NHC would upgrade Claudette at a later point (if she doesn't make it tomorrow) based on these obs?

[vbhoutex]

Good question Chris. I thought, not knowing any of what you just posted, that she had to be close to Hurricane force based on everything I was seeing. That burst was a biggie!! I'm not so sure she isn't at Hurricane strength right now with the latest burst and wrapping going on.

[Stormsfury]

Perhaps we'll find out on "best track" and preliminary reports from NHC at a later time ...

[Steve Cosby]

Based on what I read somewhere earlier today, they made a point of saying that the weather stations on those rigs are at the top of the derricks / peaks - way above the 10 meter "standard" height for wind measurement.

So, probably not.

Of course, the guys on those rigs probably don't really care whether it was titled a "hurricane or troplical storm or not". They were probably hanging on...