Orlando's Tom Terry of WFTV,ABC said.....

[otowntiger]

Tom Terry, infamous for his call of a direct hit on Orlando by Charley 3 hours prior to the NHC making the call, says he cannot dispute the NHC's track for now and that we will know a whole lot more of whether or not Ivan will deviate east or west of the forecast by tomorrow. He also made note of the wobble north by Ivan as he approaches Jamaica. He indicated that any movement off the NHC track, right or left even by just a few miles tonight can have a big impact on the track down the road. He said that he is cautiously optimistic that Ivan will pass far enough to our west to not give us too much of a problem. He said Tampa is a different story however. He also pointed out that the very recently run Bamm and GFS models were consistently showing the eastern swing while the UKMET, GFDL and NOGAPs were still keeping him west of the peninsula. He said he considers the NOGAPs trash because it is too far west.

As an aside:
Tom Terry is now a legend in Orlando for his work on Charley. He guided my wife and I through the storm blow by blow as we sat listening to him on my battery powered radio/tv crouched in the hallway. The winds began howling just when he said they would. 8 hours before the storm he acurately predicted the time, location and strength of the storm. He said we would have sustained winds of 80-90mph and gusts over 100mph and thats exactly what we had.

[Anonymous]

The eye appears to be passing south of the island, but the northern edge of the eyewall, will play he!! with Jamaica.

[Guest]

I am a big fan of Tom Terry myself. I think he is an awesome met.
...Jennifer...

[Windsong]

He is concerned about the deviation in the track because it could translate to a S FL hit simular to the GFS as well as take to the GOM w/a panhandle landfall. He's going with the NHC track "for now" BUT ... he clearly has his own thoughts on where Ivan will eventually track. It's going to be an interesting next few days. Too intresting for most though......

Windsong

[spaceisland]

last couple IR frames... especially 0045Z... shows a wobble to the west which will spare eastern Jamaica from a direct hit by the eye... but it will also spare the eye from a direct hit on Jamaica's tallest mountains.

[rbaker]

local mets get lucky and go against the grain sometimes, and go with gut instint and experience. TPC cannot afford to make guesses and have to go middle of the road on models

[otowntiger]

local mets get lucky and go against the grain sometimes, and go with gut instint and experience. TPC cannot afford to make guesses and have to go middle of the road on models

There are many who'd say that Terry didn't make a wild guess. He used his experience, knowledge and technology. He pointed out the trough that was digging to the west of Charley and several other synoptic factors including his own computer data analysis.

[hurricanefloyd5]

Tom Terry is not going with the NHC the NHC is going with Tom Terry I think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hurricanefloyd5]

Tom Terry is not going with the NHC the NHC is going with Tom Terry I think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SeaBrz_FL]

No longer going to defend, track record speaks.

I think somebody actually has a FL Governor campaign started .... LOL

[tropicstorm]

I'm also a big fan of Tom Terry. He got a pretty critical write up today in the Orlando Sentinel by staff writer Hal Boedeker.

Said Hal -

"On Labor Day, WFTV-Channel 9's Tom Terry tracked tornadoes with an intensity and braggadocio that were disturbing. Terry established his expertise on Hurricanes Charley and Frances, but Monday he kept prattling on about his roots and tornado knowledge"

Continued Hal -

"The Tom Show goes far beyond forecasting. Terry boasted, saluted his staff and lectured viewers on storm-tracking."

According to Hal, Terry "needs to dial back his presentation"

Well, I think Terry is professional, informative & knows his stuff. Not just because of his Charley call. So do his WFTV executive producers, who completely support his colorful style.

I say, give 'em hell, Tom.