Floydbuster

NOAA aircraft "Gonzo" has left Florida, headed to Hurricane Milton.

So if 1921 was the last *direct* hit, would Longboat Key count as a direct hit today?

What a remarkable storm.

Thanks for the info on our tireless workers!

Uh oh.

It does seem to be well organized right around the bursting CDO. I just notice a lot of stable looking air to the north.

I am not that impressed with Milton tonight. It doesn't seem to be exhausting outflow the way I would like to see for significant overnight intensification. The interaction with the frontal system in the eastern Gulf is also giving it a strange look on satellite. It almost looks like Milton is being undercut or squashed. Anyone else see this?

Steering current usually have to be really strong to yank a system out from near the Bay of Campeche. Milton will be very lucky that there should be just enough influence to do so.

Agree. Octobers are underrated when it comes to climatology.

Kirk is now a major hurricane, making it the third major of the season. Once the depression in the Eastern Atlantic gets a name, we will have another named storm and if that becomes a hurricane, we could have 12/8/3 by next week.

BULLETIN Hurricane Kirk Special Advisory Number 14 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122024 800 PM AST Wed Oct 02 2024 ...KIRK RAPIDLY INTENSIFYING INTO A MAJOR HURRICANE... SUMMARY OF 800 PM AST...0000 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...19.3N 44.3W ABOUT 1355 MI...2180 KM WNW OF THE CABO VERDE ISLANDS ABOUT 1150 MI...1855 KM ENE OF THE LESSER ANTILLES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...120 MPH...195 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 315 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...955 MB...28.20 INCHES

Yeah, I suppose southeastern rather than northeastern. One thing clearly obvious from recon just before landfall was how lopsided the intensity was. The eastern side had Category 4 sustained winds, while the western side had extremely low weak winds in comparison.

Sending my prayers and hoping for a positive update soon

I am assuming that the highest maximum sustained winds were likely in a very tiny area in the very northeastern side of the eyewall at the immediate coast. My guess is 130 to 140 mph over the wetlands between Steinhatchee and Perry.

UNREAL Damage. https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/1840500261712007614 https://x.com/LeadingReport/status/1840498476880183777 https://x.com/wsbtv/status/1840515679100842008 https://x.com/BrianEntin/status/1840403872084341056