Reports from the island of Barbados indicate minimal damage and conditions have already improved. Gust near the airport were around 39 kts, with isolated reports of tropical storm and hurricane force winds during the overnight hours.
The pressure has fallen by 5 millibars in roughly 2 hours, which appears to indicate that Dean is entering a Rapid Intensification cycle. Dean is still tracking west, and if the ULL (Upper Level Low) over Florida moves west with him, then west it will be. If the ULL stays put, then Dean will curve north and east, bringing the threat to the west/north central gulf coast.
The next update and model run is scheduled for 11:30am EDT. As Dean enters the warm, deep waters of the Carribean, expect to see intensification if not explosive development.
Lastly, Dean remains a small storm with a small windfield, let’s hope that part stays the same.