Thanks for the clarification, I thought they had recon in their continuously with the storm being so powerful. I noticed just now in re-reading the advisory, though, that the pressure is an estimate. Well, when the next recon does go in (tonight, I assume?)... it won't be a pretty report, from the standpoint of the shear power of this thing from looking at it right now. The ERC went by quicker than I expected, and for all intents and purposes, didn't weaken Dean at all. Now that it's apparently ended, it actually would surprise me if recon did not find a Cat 5. But, I said that this morning, and then the ERC happened.

Poor Jamaica. It's still possible that Dean may skirt north or south of a direct hit on the island (and likely, I personally think), but if that does not happen.... yes, I think they are very wise to evacuate aircraft. There is still time, but it will run out very quickly before much longer, and if Dean does indeed strengthen, it will only make matters more urgent.

Here's the recon schedule.... http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAREPRPD_last.shtml?
**notice they pushed back the Buoy drop.... (drop a buoy out the back of a C-130... in front of the hurricanes path)... but they are going to run 2 a day G-IV missions... sounds like they want to get all the Upper air data they can get!!! There will be center fixes now every 6 hrs until it makes landfall...