Reply #25: This is from the National Data Buoy Center [View All]

[Aviation Pro]

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/plot_met.php?station=42003&meas=wtmp&uom=E

This is the 5-day temperature plot from Station 42003 (E GULF 260 nm South of Panama City, FL). The position of the buoy is dead center of the predicted path of Ernesto. The 90F water temperature is indicative of a loop current that fuels a hurricane and creates an intense level of convective activity. Ivan, Dennis, Charley, Katrina, Wilma and Rita blossomed into Cat 5 storms after spending time in such a loop current and Ernesto will probably follow the same trend.

I am currently battening the hatches and making stores even though I am on the east coast of Florida. Hurricanes are famous for their unpredictable nature and preparedness is the key to successfully weathering one.