Speechless

[thud15de]

Now that's impressive! Wonder what the Taliban thinks about this at Gitmo!

[Brent]

Remember most storms weaken in the gulf before they hit land so even if it enters the gulf a cat 4 it still should weaken significantly in the gulf. The gulf isn't a favorable place for hurricanes.

For two days now, I've been avoiding the inclination to say HUH with these posts. But, in this case ----> HUH???!!!

EarthStormFire... Opal? Lili? Sure they weakened before landfall, but they rapidly intensified over the Gulf so your argument is bogus...

Charley??

[HurricaneBill]

Many storms have rapidly intensified in the Gulf.

True, the northern Gulf coast tends to weaken storms, but some do intensify right until landfall.

Examples:
Audrey
Celia
Eloise
Frederic
Charley

[smashmode]

I remember Lili, it was a 'hellstorm' and was going to destroy NOLA...then in 24 hours..it went from hellstorm..to like..what..cat 2?

[AL Chili Pepper]

Timing has everything to do with how a 'cane fares in the Gulf. Early and late storms tend to get chewed up be mid-latitude systems that are more prevalent with the seasonal changes, along with cooler waters.

I don't see any of that around right now.

[jkt21787]

I'm getting about tired of EarthStormFire's irresponsible and utterly ridiculous comments. Gulf not favorable for a cane? I can't believe he thinks thats true.

But we all know the truth. Lets move on...

[sprink52]

Ya know...I seem to remember when I was 16 years old in August of '69 a storm by the name of ...lets see...oh yes CAMILE. Wasn't that a CAT 5 in the nothern GOM??? Hmmm....

[SouthernWx]

Remember most storms weaken in the gulf before they hit land so even if it enters the gulf a cat 4 it still should weaken significantly in the gulf.

1) Audrey didn't
2) Carla didn't
3) Betsy didn't
4) Camille didn't
5) Anita didn't

That's five good reasons why all Gulf coast residents should watch this monster cane with an eagle eye (and I didn't even mention strong cat-3's such as Frederic, Celia, or Eloise....all three slammed ashore at peak intensity).

The gulf isn't a favorable place for hurricanes.

Camille reached 905 mb in the GOM.....Allen bombed to 909 mb in the GOM. We all remember Opal peaking at 916 mb. When the atmospheric conditions are right, the Gulf of Mexico can support monsters....

PW

[Swimdude]

I do believe this is the first cat. 4 hurricane in July that I can remember. And as for this debate about the GOM being unfavorable... It's not so much that the climate is unfavorable. It just seems that most storms that reach such a strength (cat 4/5) tend to weaken naturally, considering the energy they're producing. Look at any cat. 5 storm - it didn't remain that strong for very long. Some storms may be exceptions. However, that's the main reason that such strong storms randomly weaken in the GOM - they're "worn out", if you will.