NHC to provide greater lead time to watches and warnings

[Mike M]

This is from a few days ago but I find it interesting. Great idea, IMO.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100105_nhc.html

[wxntrafficfan]

I agree, it is a great idea. The only problem with it that I see though is that greater lead time in Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watches/Warnings does not increase the accuracy of hurricane forecasting... nor does it change how easily storms can rapidly intensify or change course.

[phw115wvwx]

I think this is an idea that should have been rolled out a few years ago.  We don't have enough lead time yet, and our forecasts are steadily getting more accurate for hurricanes and tropical storms over the years.

[toxictwister00]

I think it's a good and somewhat bad idea, it's good for all the reasons all of you have said, plus you wouldn't have to worry about extreme traffic or panic on the raods as much like what occured with Katrina when they had to turn all lanes in one direction out of New Orleans, but I get a bad feeling that it may cause more people to procrastinate about evacuating and foolishly deciding to ride it out. It's almost the same with tornados, you can get over 30+ minutes of warning time, but people do wait until the last minute to take shelter to see if it's a false alarm or if it will just pass right around them. I did the samething when we got hit by a tornado two years ago. Overall it's a good idea, I just hope noone ignores the extended heeded warnings.