Hey guys,
Katrina could have gotten stronger if only that dry air hadnt intruded into the circulation. Visible imagery shows a well defined CDO over the centre right now. This would correspond to the recent pressure falls reported by recon, and also go some way to explaining the improvement of the inner core noted on radar - particularly the formation of a well defined eyewall - especially to the eastern side of the eye. Dont expect particularly rapid weakening with the system once the centre is overland. The terrain is hardly the type likely to rip her apart. The circulation is already spreading over the offshore waters off the southwest FL coast, and will help to continue to feed convective bands into the storm. What may happen could be for the inner core to slacken, and the general wind field to expand. This may actually slow the restrengthening over the GOM if this happens, but of course this is by no means certain.

On a side note, looks like we will have TD13 sometime within the next day or so if the latest TWO is anything to go by. The NHC suggest the low / wave 1000 miles east of the islands could become a TD at anytime, so expect classification at either 0300z or 0900z. And also the area of disturbed weather to the SE of the Bahamas bears watching, with some evidence of a mid-level circulation - although this doesnt appear to be reflected at the surface yet.