I keep pegging Irene as travelling closer to due west. and this time is no exception, Of course there's a nice little band of storms to the south of Irere this time, and the shear is still there, but perhaps it's starting to weaken just a hair. I'd be willing to say with the southern band of convection, we might be seeing a modest strengthening at 5am, and a WNW track (even if the last few hours have been more west).

quickscat has a couple of 45Kt uncontaminated winds. T numbers up to 2.0/2.0, So despite everything thrown at it so far. it's still fighting and still strengthening. As to where it goes... Well, The models as still pulling it poleward. So the fish spinner is looking more and more likely.

I don't see any other players currently (Harvey is heading out) The stuff in the bahamas... maybe. But I would want to see some presistant convection before I'd look at it seriously.

-Mark