Fun fact, Tampico is one of only a few sea level locations within the tropics that have recorded snow and has a record low in the 20s. Arctic blasts can effectively funnel down the Rockies all the way to those latitudes. The east coast of Vietnam is somewhat similar in that regard. Vinh is at 19°N on the coast, yet by some classification systems doesn’t even classify as a tropical climate (ultra-tropical fruit like durian will fail above 16°N or so in SE Asia).

Good to hear Jim! I didn’t know that about the lake. Looks like they’re well prepared down there.

The reality is that: 1) Most of the time, storms don't live up to the hype for most people. You're playing the odds if you doubt. 2) That being said, it's high risk if you lose even with the odds overwhelmingly in your favor. Are people morons for betting against personal catastrophe with these odds? It's a personal question...but everyone's risk tolerance is different.

Not so close to the continent like that. You can actually have midlatitude cyclones develop near the Tropic of Cancer line around Tampico when the jet is really suppressed, thanks to cold air damming in the lee of the Rockies.

GA and NC are done, most likely. If PA is called on election night that's basically ballgame. That also means that it's a 2+ point victory in PA, which bodes extremely well for the other parts of the rust belt. A few hints on how the night will go. What is the margin in Iowa? That'll point to what MI/WI/PA/MN will do. Pay attention to SE New York returns. They'll likely be done counting them before NEPA, and that'll inform you on how the eastern part of PA is voting outside of Philly. If VA is within 5, NC is likely to be called early.