[ricki]

If you're going out, make sure it is in large enough holes between storms on radar/satellite and on the horizon and not in the squalls. I am way to busy currently working on a summary of losses for the last couple of years to start working on a new one this week.

Guys have been taken out by tropical systems in the NE and in Europe a few times by former tropical systems. Amazingly enough, it hasn't happened here, yet. There have been some near misses though.

Do yourself a favor and stay out of the accident write ups by making the right decisions. The biggest cause of kiteboarding accidents BY FAR is operator error (making bad choices).

Here's what they are forecasting for the Keys for Monday at this point. This will likely change again before it comes through. The gusts they are talking about may be in squalls/thunderstorms. Then again, in these sort of systems there is nothing to say the squall gusts have to stop at 60 kts.. If you are out in a squall, you are saying ok, hit me with 45 to 60 kts. plus. You never know in advance what sort of wind they'll throw out. Also, if you see threatening clouds moving in, land and secure fast. The squalls may be moving your way at 50 to 60 kts. over ground or about a mile a minute. Also, the gust front extends in front of the squall arriving before the squall clouds. Tricky stuff.

MONDAY
TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. NORTHEAST TO EAST
WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 45 KNOTS...BECOMING
NORTHEAST 30 TO 35 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 60 KNOTS IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS BEYOND THE REEF BUILDING TO 8 TO 12 FEET IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS HIGHER IN THE GULF STREAM. SEAS INSIDE THE REEF
2 TO 4 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS BECOMING VERY ROUGH. NUMEROUS SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS.