WATCHING HURRICANE DENNIS

While it is not expected at present to be a major threat to the Tampa Bay region, people are keeping a close watch on the Carribean to monitor the progress and strength of Hurricane Dennis. The storm crossed the 74 MPH threshold to become a hurricane overnight, and is making a beeline for Jamaica and Cuba. Over the weekend it is expected to become a Catagory 3 storm with highest sustained winds of between 111-130 MPH and enter the Gulf of Mexico.

Where it goes will be primarily determined by the movement of a "Bermuda High" just off the Atlantic coast. Most forecasts are calling for the system to move little, causing Dennis to continue on a mainly northwestard track and make landfall along the central Gulf coast around Mobile, Alabama late Sunday. If the high moves east, that could increase the threat to the west Florida coast.

Predicting what tropical systems will do is a lot like picking the weekly lottery numbers, so folks who enjoy the life here in Florida should know --- especially after last year's four hurricanes --- not to take any chances and prepare early.