As for Ike in the short term and all models now agree it will move into the Gulf of Mexico passing over or just north of Cuba coastline. Once it make it to the GOM a shortwave trough moving over the eastern US is expected to create a weakness to the North of Ike resulting in a turn to the WNW or NW with a decrease in forward speed. This shortwave trough is the critical player in Ike's Eventual Track at the Extended ranges. Dynamical Models are still split into two camps, but the NOGAPS run now shows a head on to New Orleans, LA as a CAT 3 or 4.

As for my perdictions its a little too soon to pin point a hit for Ike. But I will say that people living anywhere between Morgan City, LA and Mobile AL will see IKE making landfall somewhere in their region.

BELOW IS A LINK TO THE NOGAPS MODEL.

http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/metoc/nogaps/js_anim_no_amer_slp_wind.html

http://www.hurricanecity.net
http://www.hurricanecity.org