Busy Tropics - Gustav, Hanna, Ike and almost Josephine

September 2nd and it's hopping in the tropics...lots of things to watch. Be sure to look to the right for all the latest stats on every area of interest.

Some of southeast Texas's top focal points include Gustav. For the Houston area, the rain potential is almost gone. In fact, we're enjoying some drier air and a nice northerly breeze. Elsewhere, Gustav not so kind...outer bands especially east of the storm all the way to Florida spinning down funnels and even tornadoes. Looking less and less like a Trinity, San Jacinto watershed problem but it's not over till its over.

So, enjoy the break from the heat. But keep those eyes open. Ike is still forecast to strengthen and head toward the Gulf by week's end. And now there is newly formed Tropical Depression #10 just off the coast of West Africa. This one should become Tropical Storm Josephine today.

A lot of people wonder about the names for the storms. The modern naming effort for our area of the world began in 1955. In 1973, the woman said "hey, you need women's names on that list!". So began the pattern of alternating male and female names. The World Meteorological Organization comes up with the names...they have 6 year's worth and if a storm is particularly bad, it's name gets retired (just like a baseball jersey number). The names are drawn from the cultures represented in the Atlantic basin...Spanish, French and English type names. And I am not on the naming committee. Go figure!

Looking for a neat place to check out hurricanes and everything to do with meteorological, head to The John C. Freeman at 5104 Caroline Street (in the Houston Museum District). It is the only weather museum in the United States! For more info., go to wxresearch.org.

Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco is now on Dr. Toy's top 100 products of 2008. You and your friends can get your copy at www.frankandpaco.com, bestbuy.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. There are so many benefits to your youngsters from early language learning. Get your copy today!!!

More to come! Enjoy the break from summer heat. It is still officially summer after all.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman