Tropical Storm Alex: Monday, June 28, 2010 05:00 Hrs. CDT
As predicted, the storm crossed the Yucatan Peninsula over the weekend and emerged into the southern Gulf of Mexico late Sunday. At 5:00 AM CDT, Monday, the top sustained winds are at 53 MPH with gusting to 67. This storm has slowed its northwesterly movement and that means that it will have more time to develop over the very warm Gulf waters. Our computer modeling is showing intensification to Category 1 Hurricane strength by mid-day Tuesday, June 29 or possibly earlier. The upper level steering currents are very weak in the area at this time and a northwesterly track across the southern Gulf of Mexico is still anticipated. This storm has the potential to reach strong Category 2 Hurricane strength later this week and we are anticipating an eastern Mexico or southeastern Texas landfall on Thursday, July 01 into Friday, July 02.
When this storm intensifies, the right side of the storm, especially, (east side) will have some effect on wave action and tides along the northern Gulf Coast… where the oil spill is. Some additional oil movement with this impending Hurricane is inevitable. While the central part of the storm itself will be well west of the spill area, the width of this storm will produce interaction with the spill and officials are monitoring this additional problem hourly.
For up to the minute updates, please visit the NHC site below. Our next unofficial advisory will be posted as conditions warrant.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
=============================================
“THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL ADVISORY. These updates and advisories are based upon information from our own computer models, NOAA, Local Weather Data Centers, deep water Buoy Data, and other publicly available sources. FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PERSON, please refer to your Local, State, and Federal Authority updates for Official Advisories and Orders. For up to the minute advisories and official updates, it is essential that you monitor your local Emergency Government, NOAA and Local Media Broadcasts. Please do not make personal safety decisions based upon information presented here in this Unofficial Advisory.”
=============================================