Hurricane Dean has changed little during the night as he moves toward the Mexican Gulf Coast. Just a few quick facts:
LOCATION/MOVEMENT
At 4 this morning, center was near Latitude 20.3N, Longitude 94.8W (a lot of our readers have hurricane tracking charts and want tio know the exact location) This translates to about 120 miles NE of Veracruz and 175 miles ESE of Tuxpan, Mexico. Moving WNW at 20.
WINDS/PRESSURE
Sustained 80 mph. Little change overnight. Still a Category One. He still has a chance to get stronger before landfall later today. Minimum pressure 979 MB or 28.91 inches. A lot higher than yesterday.
RAIN/FLOODING
Mr. Dean still holds a big threat of flooding. Rain amounts of 5-10 inches still possible with max amounts to 20 inches. Translation: Life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. This may still be a threat even after he has moved well inland as a tropical depression. Remember how Erin (after being demoted to a TD) became angry and caused all kinds of flood misery in Texas and Oklahoma, even parts of Missouri.
SPOT REPORT (Updated at 5 am)
Weather Buoy # 42055/Bay of Campeche…sustained wind ESE 54 mph, gusts 64. 29 foot waves, water temperature 84.6. So Mr. Dean still has a pretty good punch. He has also sloshed up some cooler water from deep below the surface, thus the slightly cooler SST
