So this discussion is now even more interesting. Earl is now a major storm, and in the box, so this storm will become a statistic if it wants to or not.

I have been watching this site since I moved to the Tampa area in 2007, this place is GREAT.

My question, with the storm in the box, and Major, should south Florida be more watchful of it? following the forecasts it should recurve (right term?) and may miss the US altogether. However it is going west, how long can it run west before it becomes more a concern to Florida and all those south of Florida?

I am reading about a ridge that is still pushing the storm west, is it possible for the storm to get caught on the wrong side of that ridge and not turn east at all?

Please for give my ignorance, but I am reading and learning more every season, now that this is home