NRL keeping 97L as an active area. Satellite branches are no longer giving it numbers, as of 09Z.

Area of thunderstorms has formed of the coast of Veracruz,MX. At 09Z area was centered near 20.5N and 96.0W. Drifting just S of due E over the Bay of Campeche. Convection increased as the system moved offshore, but has now decreased in coverage and intensity. Lightning, visible from satellite imagery, is now confined to a small area in the center. System is moving along the 20degree line toward the Yucatan Peninsula.

09Z buoy observations showing temperatures from 47.7 at Bay St Louis,MS to 81.9 at Sand Key, FL. Dewpoints from 34.7F at Sabine River,TX to a high of 71.4 at the East Gulf Buoy.
Cool temperatures, brisk northwesterly wind and clouds should keep the Gulf of Mexico quiet for a few days or more. Once the cold front pushes through the Southeast, sea water temperatures should begin to drop below levels needed for tropical system development.
Grab a windbreaker and have a nice weekend.

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
530 AM EDT FRI OCT 15 2004
FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

A LARGE NON-TROPICAL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED ABOUT 400 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE NORTHERNMOST AZORES ISLANDS IS MOVING NORTHWESTWARD AT ABOUT 10 MPH. THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE CHANGE IN THIS SYSTEM TODAY...BUT THERE REMAINS SOME POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT INTO A SUBTROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE NEXT DAY OR TWO AS IT MOVES NORTHWARD OR NORTHWESTWARD.

ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL STORM FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH SATURDAY.

FORECASTER STEWART