Wilma becomes strongest hurricane ever recorded in Atlantic

**penguinz** · 10-19-2005, 05:54 AM

I thought I had seen everything this hurricane season, but I was wrong. WOW! ... Between 5:00pm EDT and 5:00am EDT Wilma's pressure dropped from 970 mb to 884 mb and her winds increased from 80 mph to 175 mph. This rate of strengthening in incredible. A strengthening of 86 mb in 12 hours is absolutely amazing. Even a 1 mb/hr strengthening is quick. We saw a strengthening of 7.2 mb/hr. Wilma has a very small eye that is fluctuating between 2 nm and 4 nm across.

Wilma is currently the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. Yes, ever. To give you some points of reference: Katrina reached 902 mb, Rita bottomed out at 897 mb, and both Mitch and Camille measured 905 mb. Even this estimate of Wilma could be conservative.
NHC states:

THE METEOROLOGIST ON BOARD THE PLANE RELIED AN
EXTRAPOLATED 881 MB PRESSURE AND MEASURED 884 MB WITH A DROPSONDE.

And they continue:

WILMA IS NEAR ITS MAXIMUM
POTENTIAL INTENSITY AND FURTHER STRENGTHENING IS NOT ANTICIPATED.
MOST LIKELY...THE SMALL EYE WILL COLLAPSE FOLLOWED BY SLIGHT
WEAKENING OR SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY

This seems obvious to me. I don't see how Wilma could get much stronger (it already is the strongest hurricane ever recorded). This is the first time on record that three Category 5 hurricanes formed in the same year. Previously both 1960 and 1961 had two Category 5 hurricanes. In a single year we have now seen the 1st, 4th, and 6th strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic.

Those of you in Southern Florida should begin planning now. Please be prepared for a hurricane landfall as early as Saturday. Wilma is very serious storm. Wilma clearly has her sights set on passing through the Yucatan Channel and heading directly at Southern Florida. This is no longer a joking matter. We have yet another catastrophic hurricane at hand.

Some of you may have noticed us tinkering around overnight. This morning we are releasing our new StormTrack model charts. Below is the first public release of our model charts that are now integrated with Google Maps. From now on, simply click on the map and you will be brought to the full control panel in a new window. You can move the map around, select your desired models, and zoom right in on your area of interest. Watch for more improvements in the coming days.

http://www.thestormtrack.com/

siberian khatru · 10-19-2005, 05:58 AM

That's astounding.

Mile High Mania · 10-19-2005, 06:03 AM

This year has convinced me that I'll never live in Florida and I'll never live on the coast line. I'll just take my chances with the heat and twisters.

Spott · 10-19-2005, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

This year has convinced me that I'll never live in Florida and I'll never live on the coast line. I'll just take my chances with the heat and twisters.

Luckily, I live along the coast of NE Florida and have avoided all of the hurricanes the past 2 years.

chiefqueen · 10-19-2005, 06:14 AM

7:00 numbers confirms pressure drop

Pressure 882 mB

Winds 175 mph

patteeu · 10-19-2005, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

This year has convinced me that I'll never live in Florida and I'll never live on the coast line. I'll just take my chances with the heat and twisters.

I just noticed the Tejas in your location. Where do you live, MHM? I used to live in Austin which is a great place and we almost moved from KC to Dallas a while back. I liked Texas, but I wouldn't be too interested in living in Houston or on the Gulf Coast.

I decided long ago that I would never live in Florida. Between the humidity, the hurricanes, the alligators, and even the sharks, I just don't need the aggravation. It's a nice place to visit though.

Coach · 10-19-2005, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

This year has convinced me that I'll never live in Florida and I'll never live on the coast line. I'll just take my chances with the heat and twisters.

Agreed.

ROYC75 · 10-19-2005, 08:00 AM

Damn, Fred really pissed Wilma off this time...........I knew she had an attitude under those wraps.

kepp · 10-19-2005, 08:10 AM

Wow...those pics of it are scary. I hope people heed the warnings this time.

It doesn't look too good for the game. What do they do in these instances? Do they just cancel the game or move it to a neutral location?

That darn George Bush! These hurricanes are all his fault! j/k

SCChief · 10-19-2005, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

Wow...those pics of it are scary. I hope people heed the warnings this time.

It doesn't look too good for the game. What do they do in these instances? Do they just cancel the game or move it to a neutral location?

That darn George Bush! These hurricanes are all his fault! j/k

Either they will have the game a day early in Miami, or they will move it to Monday. Of course... the biggest risk of moving it to Monday is to assume that the storm will leave an electric infrastructure. Even if Wilma is half its current strength when it rolls through Miami, they will lose power for at least a few days there. Not to mention that the place would likely still be under lockdown, so nobody would actually be able to make it to the game.

They could always bump things up and have the game Friday night, so it would not interfere with any called evacuations.

chiefqueen · 10-19-2005, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Damn, Fred really pissed Wilma off this time...........I knew she had an attitude under those wraps.

It was his turn to feed Dino & change Pebbles, but nnnoooo, he had to keep watching the game.

10-19-2005, 08:38 AM

This is absolutely astounding. The game is so minute on the grand scale but I don't see how there's any way they play it early or delay it a day. This game demands a change of venue and they better announce that change today or they'll never be able to get tickets, officials, accomadations, and concessions ready in time.

greg63 · 10-19-2005, 08:40 AM

Radar image.

htismaqe · 10-19-2005, 08:43 AM

I agree with Phil.

There's no way they can play this game in Miami. Mandatory evac would likely start tomorrow and the city could be without power until early next week.

**Rain Man** · 10-19-2005, 08:45 AM

The bottom line: if you own a kite, now's the time to break it out.

10-19-2005, 05:54 AM
penguinz Supporter Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $3097626	Wilma becomes strongest hurricane ever recorded in Atlantic I thought I had seen everything this hurricane season, but I was wrong. WOW! ... Between 5:00pm EDT and 5:00am EDT Wilma's pressure dropped from 970 mb to 884 mb and her winds increased from 80 mph to 175 mph. This rate of strengthening in incredible. A strengthening of 86 mb in 12 hours is absolutely amazing. Even a 1 mb/hr strengthening is quick. We saw a strengthening of 7.2 mb/hr. Wilma has a very small eye that is fluctuating between 2 nm and 4 nm across. Wilma is currently the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. Yes, ever. To give you some points of reference: Katrina reached 902 mb, Rita bottomed out at 897 mb, and both Mitch and Camille measured 905 mb. Even this estimate of Wilma could be conservative. NHC states: THE METEOROLOGIST ON BOARD THE PLANE RELIED AN EXTRAPOLATED 881 MB PRESSURE AND MEASURED 884 MB WITH A DROPSONDE. And they continue: WILMA IS NEAR ITS MAXIMUM POTENTIAL INTENSITY AND FURTHER STRENGTHENING IS NOT ANTICIPATED. MOST LIKELY...THE SMALL EYE WILL COLLAPSE FOLLOWED BY SLIGHT WEAKENING OR SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY This seems obvious to me. I don't see how Wilma could get much stronger (it already is the strongest hurricane ever recorded). This is the first time on record that three Category 5 hurricanes formed in the same year. Previously both 1960 and 1961 had two Category 5 hurricanes. In a single year we have now seen the 1st, 4th, and 6th strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic. Those of you in Southern Florida should begin planning now. Please be prepared for a hurricane landfall as early as Saturday. Wilma is very serious storm. Wilma clearly has her sights set on passing through the Yucatan Channel and heading directly at Southern Florida. This is no longer a joking matter. We have yet another catastrophic hurricane at hand. Some of you may have noticed us tinkering around overnight. This morning we are releasing our new StormTrack model charts. Below is the first public release of our model charts that are now integrated with Google Maps. From now on, simply click on the map and you will be brought to the full control panel in a new window. You can move the map around, select your desired models, and zoom right in on your area of interest. Watch for more improvements in the coming days. http://www.thestormtrack.com/
Posts: 16,314

10-19-2005, 05:58 AM	#2
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2524950	That's astounding.
Posts: 69,189

10-19-2005, 06:03 AM	#3
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3657229	This year has convinced me that I'll never live in Florida and I'll never live on the coast line. I'll just take my chances with the heat and twisters. __________________
Posts: 30,291

10-19-2005, 06:14 AM	#5
chiefqueen On my throne Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $8172060	7:00 numbers confirms pressure drop Pressure 882 mB Winds 175 mph
Posts: 4,179

10-19-2005, 08:00 AM	#8
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5659400	Damn, Fred really pissed Wilma off this time...........I knew she had an attitude under those wraps. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
Posts: 36,986

10-19-2005, 08:10 AM	#9
kepp MVP Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $5369212	Wow...those pics of it are scary. I hope people heed the warnings this time. It doesn't look too good for the game. What do they do in these instances? Do they just cancel the game or move it to a neutral location? That darn George Bush! These hurricanes are all his fault! j/k
Posts: 14,492

10-19-2005, 08:38 AM	#12
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	This is absolutely astounding. The game is so minute on the grand scale but I don't see how there's any way they play it early or delay it a day. This game demands a change of venue and they better announce that change today or they'll never be able to get tickets, officials, accomadations, and concessions ready in time.
Posts: n/a

10-19-2005, 08:40 AM	#13
greg63 Homer go crazy!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $9324990	Radar Radar image. Attached Thumbnails __________________
Posts: 17,566

10-19-2005, 08:43 AM	#14
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	I agree with Phil. There's no way they can play this game in Miami. Mandatory evac would likely start tomorrow and the city could be without power until early next week.
Posts: 100,022

10-19-2005, 08:45 AM	#15
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3298491 VARSITY	The bottom line: if you own a kite, now's the time to break it out. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,448