Experts Lower Hurricane Forecast to 5

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2006/sep/01/090102854.html

DENVER (AP) - Hurricane forecaster William Gray downgraded his expectations for the 2006 Atlantic storm season Friday, calling for a slightly below-average year, with only five hurricanes instead of the seven previously forecast.

Two of the hurricanes will be intense, according to Gray's forecasting team, based at Colorado State University.

"Despite the lower predictions, residents living along the U.S. coastline should always be prepared for major storms," Gray said.

His team predicted a 59 percent likelihood that a hurricane would hit the U.S. coastline in September, and a 35 percent chance of an intense hurricane. For October, the forecasters said there was a 14 percent chance a hurricane would strike the coast.

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[bullimiami]

1. if they wait until after the season they can predict it a lot better.

[NOLADEM]

2. What a bunch of BS

Why not call in the psychics, the tarot card readers, the astrologers, and the mediums??? Nostradamus?

Hurricane prediction more than a few weeks out is PURE BULLSHIT. Plain and simple. They are attempting to predict the impact of batting butterfly wings in the woods, as the saying goes.

I live in NOLA, and I have for my entire life lived in coastal Louisiana. NO ONE can predict these things. And you know what? It doesn't matter A BIT. Just knowing they may come is really all you need to know.

All you need to survive a hurricane is a few days notice, $40 in gas and a car or ride.

PLEASE spare me the predictions, Mr. Gray. And please kindly return the taxpayers' money you have been pissing away so that we may pile it up along our destroyed levees.

I will happily provide a random guess between 5 and 15 anytime you folks like for just $100K per year. A deal over what Madam Gray is charging us I am sure. And I won't even waste your time providing supposed scientific support for my guess.

[Virginia Dare]

3. It only takes one intense hurricane...

if it's your life and property in the way....hope you stay safe, and welcome to DU!

[jpak]

4. Hurricane Andrew was the "A" storm in 1992 (FL landfall August 24th)

It was very "quiet" hurricane year (only 6 named storms)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Atlantic_hurricane_season

Only takes one storm to ruin your day...