Re: Where the forecast failed
Posted by Chucktowner on 10/11/2016, 6:31 pm
Let's not kid ourselves folks. Matthew was like cousin Eddie from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! For us weather geeks, Matthew was family that you hope you only see every once and awhile because they are just too weird.

Matthew was as awesome to watch as it was frightening to watch.

Were I to consider blame, which I find useless, I would simply say this. The NHC had their hands full, period. Whist we sorted out our lives, a hand full of professionals at the NHC had to decide what they would tell the Governors of 5 plus states. There but by the grace of God go I.

I think the one thing the NHC missed or neglected to widely publish (unless I missed it) was to properly forecast the inland Geostropic North to South winds. They focused, as we all do, on the inbound winds in the 12-3 quadrant.

Inbound high pressure from the west, Matthew's winds from the east and the Coriolis effect created a north to south wind dynamic that caused an astounding amount of damage well inland. These are called geostrophic current. A geostropic current in which the pressure gradient force is balanced by the Coriolis effect. The direction of geostrophic flow is parallel to the isobars. TWC did a few seconds on this.

Matthew wrecked the lives of millions and has killed about 1000 people so far. Let's hope Matthew does NOT become the normal. I just can't take that much stress.

Hoping all are well and safe....Chucktowner
120
In this thread:
In VA....several local station meterology types having been talking on how they 'got this one wrong' - AquaRN, 10/9/2016, 8:28 pm
< Return to the front page of the: message board | monthly archive this page is in
Post A Reply
This thread has been archived and can no longer receive replies.