VORTEXes and NHC USE DIFFERENT Lat/Long measurements!

[Derecho]

Putting this in a thread title so people finally notice.

I see this mistake repeatedly (understandable, it's confusing that VORTEX statements and NHC advisories don't match in their system.)

NHC uses tenths of a degree.

VORTEX statements use minutes of latitude or longitude...60 of them in one degree.

To convert a VORTEX latitude or longitude into tenths of a degree, you have to divide the minutes on the VORTEX statement by 60.

If you don't convert, and you compare a VORTEX position to an NHC advisory position, it will be all screwed up (Frances has NOT moved due WEST since the 11AM advisory, for example, it's gained .2 of a degree of latitude.)

[Brent]

I didn't know that. Thanks Derecho.

[Derecho]

I must confess in the distant past (like 5 years ago) I made the mistake of not converting minutes to degrees a couple of times.

[Stratosphere747]

Derecho....Good point...But as far as Frances not going due west since the 11am...I think you are wrong...This will be the first *true* fix of Frances...The rest have been estimates...

[Ola]

with such a distinct eye, there is no such thing as a pure estimate. It has not moved due west, that is very clear from the loops. It is right on the NHC track. I must confess I did not think this thing would make such a sharp turn at the time it was called for, I thought it would miss us by at least 500 miles yesterday, now it looks like the NHC will be right on.