Best guess at this time is she will not traverse the Gulf of Mexico. However there is the possibility she may hug the west coast of Florida as she moves north. This all depends on whether the large high over Texas holds or shifts a little west. If it holds, Irene should go up the spine of Florida according to current models. Should the high over Texas shift a little to the west, Irene could enter the Gulf of Mexico hugging the coast of Florida. This would be bad news for Florida should this happen. As stated at this time anything can happen, no track is set in stone.
Here are the current specifics of Irene from the National Hurricane Center
TROPICAL STORM IRENE SPECIAL ADVISORY NUMBER 1 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011 700 PM AST SAT AUG 20 2011 ...TROPICAL STORM FORMS EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS...TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ISSUED... SUMMARY OF 700 PM AST...2300 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...14.9N 58.5W ABOUT 190 MI...305 KM E OF DOMINICA ABOUT 215 MI...345 KM ESE OF GUADELOUPE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 22 MPH...35 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1006 MB...29.71 INCHES
Here are some of the computer model plots for TS Irene at this time - * Remember we are a week out and these forecast tracks 'will change' * -
Irene Forecast track as of 7pmedt Aug 20 2011
Irene Forecast track as of 906pmedt Aug 20 2011
Irene Forecast track as of 2pmedt Aug 20 2011
