Tracking our storms

Squalls out on the gulfstream
big storm comin' soon...

Here comes Tropical Storm Noel, just as we were thinking we might actually make it through a storm season unscathed.

Noel's current track poses no real threat to us on the west coast of Florida, but our wary eyes will watch until -- hopefully -- it makes a projected right turn up the Atlantic.

Scarred by the terrifying hurricane season of 2004 that saw four major storms rip through the state, we've learned not to take these weather systems lightly. And that's where Bradenton.com comes in. Click on the Tropical Storm Update to get updates throughout the day, including stories, the weather service tracking map and a photo gallery.

We also provide the best coverage possible in our print edition, updating the storm coordinates at 11 p.m. each night before the Herald goes to press and publishing weather guru Martin Merzer's informative and entertaining stories.

Here's hoping we can hum a few bars of Jimmy Buffett's "Trying to Reason With the Hurricane Season'' without having to contend with a serious storm this year.

Jim