Hurricane Dean could threaten Gulf of Mexico

[jpak]

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN1632132720070816?src=081607_1519_TOPSTORY_atlantic_churns_with_seasons_first_hurricane

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hurricane Dean, which could strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane over the next few days, will likely cross the islands of the eastern Caribbean on Friday and could threaten the Gulf of Mexico next week.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Erin produced heavy rains over portions of Texas as it weakened after moving inland over the south Texas coast this morning.

The energy market is watching the weather models to see if Dean will enter the Gulf of Mexico and where it could disrupt the region's oil and natural gas facilities, which account for roughly a third of U.S. oil production.

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The NHC forecast Dean will strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane (winds 96-110 mph) within 12 hours, a Category 3 hurricane (winds 111-130 mph) in about 24 hours and a Category 4 hurricane (winds of 131-155 mph) in three to four days.

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latest models...

http://www.skeetobiteweather.com/

120 hour tropical force wind field probability map..

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/144524.shtml?tswind120?large#contents

[kedrys]

1. Houston's on the dirty side of TS Erin today

Rain rain rain and flooding...nowhere for the water to go after serious rain early this month. I'm not looking forward to next week. :scared:

[jpak]

3. I gotta quick peek at MSNBC at lunch and downtown Houston looked surreal

LOTS of street flooding...

[kedrys]

5. My sister called me from Montreal after seeing it on CNN

Fortunately, I left work in the nick of time and only had to ford one low-lying street before getting on the elevated toll road - but the parking lot at work was so flooded, another 20 minutes and I would have had water in the car.

[phantom power]

2. That is like the worst possible track, in terms of picking up heat energy.

Right through the high-calorie buffet.

[William769]

4. Ain't that the truth.