zacker20
(Weather Watcher)
Wed Oct 19 2005 06:52 PM
Re: Wilma Continued

Quote:

Being an amature myself and a new member here does this all mean that we can truly feel relaxed here in the St Pete/Tampa area? Is there any possibility of the thing coming due north towards the p'handle?




There's always a possibility, but the chances are HIGHLY unlikely just because of the way the upper-level winds are looking. The key player in pulling Wilma to the north will be an upper-level trough coming in from the north. However, this upper-level trough is not as strong as the upper-level low that was expected to pull Wilma to the north in the first place (this low won't be pulling Wilma anymore because it is moving too fast and staying too far north)

And because Wilma has slowed down, it won't make it to the Gulf of Mexico (if it makes it at all) until 2:00 PM Friday. By that time, the trough is forecasted to be across West Central Florida and will continue to move further south at a pretty good clip. This will block Wilma to the east taking it across the Florida Keys possibly and Northern Cuba. If Wilma will have any impact on Florida, it will be in the extreme southern part of the state.

Residents in the Tampa area should not let their guard down by any means, but just know that a landfall in your area is looking more unlikely with every advisory.