Dean 3rd most strong storm to hit in Atlantic Basin...Cat 5/160 mph/906 mB

Dean hit the lower Yucatan Pennisula this morning at the resort of Costa Maya near the Mexico/Belize border. It is way to early to find out what happened there, although it promises to be bad. The area is very poor, very rural, and does not have great communications so it could be a while. I know the Mexican government did not mean it like it sounds, but they were happy that the storm did not hit the built-up/tourist areas of Cancun and Cozumel (who got whacked twice 2 years ago by Emily and Wilma). Dean is supposed to re-emerge and hit the southern Gulf coast (of Mexico) sometime tomorrow afternoon. No real effects for Texas except possibly some heavy rain in Brownsville. Obviously the Cameron County/Brownsville/South Padre Island evacuations have been called off.

There was also talk that a storm could be forming and hitting northern Florida sometime this weekend, although that does not seem to be the case. Although conditions are favorable, the storm is not forming, and the conditions are getting less favorable. The next storm would be Felix (the cat). Gabrielle and Humberto would be after that.

Besides a sprinkle on Friday morning, Atlanta has had no rain whatsoever. Our yard does look better though since I watered almost all night on Sunday (after midnight Saturday of course!). I have one last weekend of really good watering until I start going out of town all the time!!