Florence Update: Swordboat Captains, Beware!
Ok, so looks like the impending disaster for the US east coast has now shifted to being an impending doom for Bermuda and Atlantic Canada instead. It's those high pressure systems, you know? If you check out the link above (to Accuweather) you'll see how the Highs are pushing Florence away.

Also, I would like to use this opportunity to address those readers of mine (and there are quite a few) who classify themselves as swordboat captains -- particularly those operating in the area of the Flemish Cap. To quote Linda Greenlaw, as quoted in The Perfect Storm:

Billy? Get outta there! Come about! Let it- let it carry you out of there! What the hell are you doing? Billy! For Christ sake! You're steaming into a bomb! Turn around for Christ sake! Billy, can ya hear me? You're headed right for the middle of the monster! Billy?...

You crazy swordboat captains: get outta there! But, I know why you do it. As Billy says:

The fogs just lifting. Throw off you're battle line, throw off you're stern. You head out to South channel, past Rocky Neck, Ten pound island. Past Niles Pond where I skated as a kid. Blow you're airhorn and throw a wave to the lighthouse keeper's kid on Thatcher Island. Then the birds show up black backs, herring gulls, big dumb ducks. The sun hit ya , head North, open up to 12, steamin' now. The guys are busy, you're in charge. Ya know what? You're a goddam swordboat captain! Is
there any thing better in the world?

And for the rest of you: we still will get some big waves from this one, so if you're near the coast, go check it out.  ¶ 10:11 AM