Tropical Storm Edouard....

[Aviation Pro]

...is forecast to track through some very warm water as it makes its way west toward the western Gulf coast. The official forecast is very conservative with respect to intensification but the models and current buoy data make it likely that it will make landfall as a hurricane. The most problematic data point is that the storm is moving slowly through the Gulf which may allow for rapid intensification. For further information and analysis go here:

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
National Data Buoy Center: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov

Here is the current track forecast:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT05/refresh/AL0508W5+gif/025228W_sm.gif

[NeedleCast]

1. That is a Strange System

It's been sitting off the Louisiana coast for almost a week but never really developed until today. Forecasts on it are still very mixed. I've seen everything from forecasts calling for dissipation to forecasts calling for a Cat 1/2 Hurricane by Tuesday. At least it's predicted to hit far enough north that it shouldn't affect the areas that Bonny dumped rain on.

[Aviation Pro]

2. It's not a Bahama buster.....

...like Katrina and isn't following any known models that I know of. The upper level winds are favorable for development (dominated by an anti-cyclone), but the oblique/asymmetrical structure of the storm is weird. I believe there is a loop current ahead of it and we'll see what happens in the next 48 hours.

Right now I'll go out on a limb and say Cat 2 by landfall.

[NeedleCast]

4. Moderate High Pressure

system over the Central/North Texas coast right now so Ed is having a hard time moving west, which is what it seems to want to do.

I'd guess that Ed falls just short of hurricane status and hits near the LA/TX border, but the way this storm has acted so far, it's anyones guess.

[Catherine Vincent]

3. Make my day, Edouard!

[texastoast]

5. Come on, Edouard

I have many, many things I could be doing at the expense of my puke employer while you rumble by.

[yellowdogintexas]

6. I just hope we get some rain out of it. The brown grass is ugly. nt

and it is too damn hot

[Aviation Pro]

7. Here's the latest water vapor imagery.....

...showing the asymmetrical structure:

[Ghost in the Machine]

8. Damned illegal immigrant hurricane stealing the job of a good American Hurricane named Edward...

Call Congress!!11!!!11!1 RIGHT F&%^&ING NOW!!!11!!11!!!