Hurricanes and forecasting

In the digital age, there are too many forecast models and contradicting voices that all seem to come at you at once the second a named storm starts spinning in the Atlantic. A few weeks ago, we wrote about how forecasters are calling for a "near-average" season this year. But that doesn't mean we're anywhere close to in the clear. Experts say that they expect four to eight hurricanes, with about two to four of them becoming major hurricanes. If a hurricane of any category made direct landfall in S.C., we would see severe damage. But even a tropical storm can be devastating. Take 2017's Irma for example: By the time it started impacting S.C., Irma was a tropical storm with an eye passing 200 miles away from Charleston. Yet, Irma's produced the worst tidal surge in Charleston since Hurricane Hugo. Further Reading: European hurricane model might be best but none are better than official forecast How would Charleston fare under a direct hurricane hit? Based on a 2014 study, not well. Post and Courier launches Hurricane Wire, a pop-up newsletter for storm season