A new system has developed in the eastern tropical Atlantic, Katia, but is not expected to pose a threat to the US mainland with only a 16% chance of landfall along the east coast, which is a good thing given the recent impact of Irene especially over New England. However, most reliable models now predict the development of a tropical storm over the western Gulf of Mexico within the next 72-96 hours, with the Canadian model dropping this new system to Category 1 pressure by Friday evening. This will form as a tropical wave south of Cuba interacts with a frontal boundary draped across Florida and the central Gulf of Mexico. At this point the western Louisiana and eastern Texas coastline look most at risk which is prime NG and oil extraction territory. Now that i'm back from vaccation (and enjoyed the 112F highs in Las Vegas) I'll post more often as the situation changes.