Statement as of 5:30 PM EDT on July 10, 2002

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico...
Surface pressures are beginning to fall in the northern Gulf of
Mexico in association with the low pressure area centered about 265
miles southeast of New Orleans. However...satellite images indicate
that the thunderstorm activity remains disorganized. Upper-level
winds are expected to become a little more favorable for Tropical
Cyclone formation as the system meanders in the north central Gulf
of Mexico. An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is
scheduled to investigate the system tomorrow...if necessary.
Elsewhere...tropical storm formation is not expected through
Thursday.
Forecaster Avila