Francine's Fast Formation, and other storms

Hello all,

We have arrived at the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, but with very little to show for it the last 3 weeks.? It was highly anticipated/advertised to be a VERY active season.? Is this forecast a bust?? I'm not ready to throw in the towel!

As of 2 PM on Sunday, the tropical disturbance in the far southwestern Gulf of Mexico is likely to become Francine early Monday and drift northward.? I think Francine is slow to intensify at first, but by Wednesday, as she parallels the TX coast, I believe she will rapidly intensify to Cat. 3 storm.? I think Francine slams into Louisiana very early Thursday morning.??

What is likely to become Gordon out in the south-central Atlantic will be very slow to develop, and most likely to stay out at sea.? Good thing!? I think he will be the next Category 5 storm this season by next weekend.? We shall see.??

In the eastern Pacific, I'm thinking we will see Ileana (ill-ay-AH-nah) by Friday bearing down on Cabo San Lucas, Mexico as a Category 2 storm.? I'm fascinated at the prospect that Ileana MIGHT run up the Gulf of California where the waters remain quite warm.? If she manages to do that, she could maintain her strength and deliver heavy rains (and relief from the torrid heat for places like Phoenix which has hit 100 degrees or hotter for more than the past 100 days) for the Southwestern U.S.? I acknowledge this is a long shot and I've never seen this happen!?

I don't often include Asia in my email updates, but Asia's Super Typhoon Yagi smashed into China last Friday and is causing big problems for Vietnam.? Though winds are down from their peak of 145 mph, the devastating downpours will continue to annoy Hanoi.??

Lastly, my cousin shared with me a map of forecast accuracy that I've attached.? The darker the color, the more accurate the forecast.? Though I need to research the exact parameters involved here, I found it interesting.? As always, please let me know if? you need a more detailed tropical (or non-tropical) forecast.??

Have a good week!

Ben