Fickle Ophelia

Projected Storm Path as of Saturday, Sept. 10 at 5 am

Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia
And therefore I forbid my tears: but yet
It is our trick; nature her custom holds ... .
-- Hamlet, Act. 4, Sc. 7

Still madly circling in the Atlantic, Hurricane Ophelia has lost, and then regained, lost again, and soon will regain once more Category 1 hurricane strength, the National Hurricane Center said early Saturday morning.

Here's a summary of NHC's familiar shouting caps:

OPHELIA IS STRUGGLING AGAINST WEST-SOUTHWESTERLY SHEAR AND SOME VERY DRY MIDDLE AND UPPER LEVEL AIR OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES... . THE RIDGE THAT BUILDS NORTH OF OPHELIA IN A COUPLE OF DAYS WILL PROBABLY CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT MORE CONDUCIVE FOR STRENGTHENING. ...THE OFFICIAL FORECAST WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW 85 KT [huricane strength] PRIOR TO LANDFALL GIVEN THE LESS HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT EXPECTED TO UNFOLD SOUTH OF THE RIDGE.

WATCHES COULD BE REQUIRED FOR PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. COAST LATER TODAY.