Wednesday's Gustav Update

Over the next few days, I'm going to be giving you my thoughts on Gustav--at least until we know he won't be a threat for Mississippi. I don't always share my personal opinions or gut feelings in my weathercasts, so this gives me an opportunity to do so.

I am very concerned. You've seen the computer models and you know the scenarios. We have a cold front that will move into the state on Friday. This front is progged to move into south Mississippi over the weekend and stall out. By that point, Gustav will be back to hurricane status (most models have it as a category 3 by that point), and churning in the Gulf of Mexico. If this upper trough (or leftover front) hangs around the northern gulf on Sunday and Monday, it will turn Gustav more eastward putting Mississippi in his path. If the trough doesn't make it that far and the winds from a high pressure over Florida weaken, Gustav will move more westward...like Louisiana, Texas. Where Gustav goes is totally dependent meteorologically upon the high pressure and the upper trough.

I've seen this before. I saw it the Friday before Hurricane Katrina hit. Everyone thought I was crazy (after all, Katrina was supposed to hit Florida, right?). Obviously, Gustav bears watching.
Yesterday, we put the "Bassett household crisis plan" into motion. Knowing that my husband will most likely disappear for days, weeks, or even months as before with Katrina and I will be working for days upon end without coming home, we've already made our plans to send our children out of town. I suggest you begin thinking about the steps you need to take SHOULD this Gustav stay on his current path.

All of this is subject to change and I'll be keeping you updated with inside information here.