Hurricane Irene (Significant U.S. Threat)

[bugalou]

I agree, the affects of a hybrid or purely extratropical system can sometimes be more damaging than a Cat 1 hurricane could be in this area. Nor'easter's are infamous for widespread surge and wind damage in the I-95 corridor.

Irene has basicly transformed herself into a VERY large and powerful Nor'easter. Instead of focusing all her energy on the stormcenter she will distribute her energy more widely. She has the potential to do just as much damage up there as the storm that shall not be named . I imagine the NHC will keep the current Cat 1 status just to keep everybody alert. She still has some tropical traits and is not completely extratropical just yet, but she seems to be getting close to making the transformation complete.

All this talk about nor'easter's in August is getting me all hot and bothered

Just massive, she is controlling wx over most of the western Atlantic ocean.

that is looking more like a triple phased winter weather event than a hurricane at this point!

[Cyclonicjunkie]

that is looking more like a triple phased winter weather event than a hurricane at this point!

I know, pretty rare storm for August...certainly makes one think of a winter system that's why I was posting those simulated satellite images last couple of days. The nam and gfs sniffed this out pretty early being it was purely tropical.

500mb analysis

[Curt]

Irene fatigue....glad this is just about over.

[Charles L.]

As of a couple hours ago...3 million people along the East Coast were without power.

Here are some damage photos from the New Bern/Kinson/Greenville, etc. area of NC.

http://www.wcti12.com/photos/28961535/detail.html

They updated more photos just recently, was actually some structual damage in and around New Bern...some mobile homes shredded to pieces.

[StormNine]

Pretty impressive for a CAT 1.  This should weaken to a tropical if not extratropical storm shortly as it interacts more land and loses it's tropical features.  It already looks like a nor'easter on steroids right now.  I have a feeling for safety purposes that they will at least keep it a strong tropical storm if not a CAT 1(75mph hurricane) until it passes over New York City. 

[StormNine]

The 7am outlook confirms that.

[StormNine]

Should go Extratropical the next update.

[Cyclonicjunkie]

I still cant get over on just how big this storm was. This shot sort of puts it in perspective.

[Curt]

So far around 30-35 deaths have occurred due to flooding which is heartbreaking. This could be due to the lack of experience in areas in the NE with tropical systems as well as the densely populated areas. However, the effects in general pale in comparison to previous storms we have seen in terms of wind, surge, etc. The media is most defensive of their coverage of the situation as most folks in the NE outside of Vermont and inland NJ/PA are asking what storm? These storms are not uncommoen to this area and althrough they dont happen often, the media will continue to overhype them whenever the I-95 corridior is involved. Where is the resolve that this region once had? For those of you who remember Hurricane Gloria in '85, the situation was much worse. It seems we have become a nation of hype and helplessness IMO.

I know I will catch some grief citing me as heartless over the deaths that have occurred. that part is not true. This is quite sad, given that most deaths from flooding can be prevented by just staying home. Turn around, don't drown. Just my 

[Cyclonicjunkie]

Irene is giving one last punch in the face to NC and SC, before she leaves the western hemisphere as she is causing severe wx in those states along the end of her cold front 

[Cyclonicjunkie]

Stunning images of IRENE...she was such a large storm


Notice how she starts taking on extrop characteristics near NC




Closer up during her transition to a Noreaster