For those who might not be aware, the USA’s East Coast is being pestered by a subtropical storm, Gustav. C’mon! Give me a break! I thought a tropical depression had to at least reach tropical storm status before it got named. What’s the deal here?
This is something new the NHC started this year. I think it’s a good idea, and especially with Gustav. As I write, it’s probably been upgraded to a tropical storm and probably a hurricane. All the indications were that the convection would soon wrap around the center, which was all it needed to reach tropical status.
Gustav is just as strong as a regular Tropical Storm, it just doesn’t have the circulating winds and the formation of a tropical storm…at least, that’s how I understand it. Last I heard, Gustav had 45 MPH sustained winds.
Jman
And in other news, Washington State continues to be nagged by Incessant Drizzle Freddie, North Dakota cools down under the influence of Canadian Clipper Russle, and the trees in Nevada sway to and fro due to the lingering effects of Northeasterly Breeze Suzan.
This is being discussed in another thread, so I’ll close this one and direct further comment to the other: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=134631