Dean's Destructive Path Zoning In On Mexico

The storm models have all been shifting to the South, so it appears that the next target for Hurricane Dean will be the Yucatan Peninsula, followed by a strike on mainland Mexico. Some models push hurricane force winds out into Southern Texas, but it appears that the brunt of the storm will be felt in Mexico. Brendan Loy has more on the storm track. He also noted that because the eye didn't cross Jamaica, it didn't break down, which means that the potential is present for serious intensification to a Category 5 storm, although the central pressure isn't in record territory. Also, even though the storm may intensify to that level, it doesn't mean that it will make landfall as that strong a storm. Eric the SciGuy wonders at the overhyping of Dean's potential landfall.

He also has a good post about the projected track into the Yucatan, and what we can expect for the rest of the hurricane season. We're entering the busy period, so we should expect more storms between now and November, when the season comes to a close.

Oil rigs in the Southern Gulf of Mexico have been evacuated in anticipation of the storm. Meanwhile, the Caymans are bracing for the storm's approach and Jamaica begins the cleanup.

UPDATE:
The NHC has found that Hurricane Dean has intensified to a Category 5 storm with winds of 160 mph.