Wide open waters there looking for intensification as it continues then to move on a more northwesterly course.

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When we are 100 yards from shore, we stop swimming, caught--by design--in a fast-moving, northwesterly riptide, buoyed by our thick wetsuits.

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Aiding in the evaporation are the prevailing onshore northwesterly winds during the day (shamal), and the offshore southeasterly winds during the night.

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As predicted, the storm turned overnight and is continuing its northwesterly track.

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