5757-Alex Strengthens Over Land

Tropical storm Alex is already defying established, predictable standards of a major storm. Instead of getting a little weaker over the narrow Yucatan Peninsula last night, it got stronger. The National Hurricane Center in Miami is reporting the storm now has characteristics more indicative of a hurricane, and it is still expected the storm will achieve hurricane status within the next few days. In the early days of a storm meteorologists look closely at various computer models that attempt to predict the path and power of a hurricane as it moves towards it's eventual goal. They are able to see wind and weather patterns expected in the Gulf of Mexico far in advance, and these events are what help determine the conditions and path of a hurricane or tropical storm. Gulf conditions remain conducive for further development.A ridge spreading across Florida and the northern Gulf is expected to weaken in two or three days. This "fence" of protection could provide an entry-way for what will then be hurricane Alex, to move north towards the Texas-Louisiana border. Two models: GFS and Canadian move Alex in this direction. Six other computer models move Alex into Mexico. Based upon this information the National Hurricane Center adjusts it's forecast and shifts Alex to the right a little, closer to Texas. It should be noted the Center also upgrades the potential for Alex's intensity. The Center says in it's 4:00AM Sunday June 27, 2010 advisory: "There is at least a moderate likelihood that Alex could become a major hurricane."