raw gulf temp data

[phantom power]

These maps look like raw satellite data. Kind of fun to see the difference between real-world data and the "clean" maps they show for public consumption.

http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?product=sst®ion=gulfmexico¬humbs=0

[bloom]

1. This one looks a lot worse for some reason...

http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?product=sst_comp®ion=eastcoast¬humbs=0

[phantom power]

2. real world data is often rather noisy.

The quality of satellite data depends on all kinds of stuff. Cloud cover, orbital path, etc. Probably more things than I know.

[NNadir]

3. I understand that the temperature at which hurricanes develop is 26.5C

http://www.wxresearch.com/hurform.htm

These maps are for the most part not comforting.

[phantom power]

4. Yes, 80F. Hence, my predictions about Katrina (and Rita)

I've also seen 82F. I don't know which is more correct.

Somebody in another forum told me that wind-shear becomes lower in the fall. That's not good news either, since it's one of the main things that can defuse a hurricane.