It's now down to the End Game for Katrina, moving at a healthy clip to the northwest. Landfall is likely within 10-12hr along the extreme S. coast of Louisiana, not far from the Venice and Buras areas -- maybe slightly NW of there -- with a date with New Orleans growing ever likely for Monday morning. Currently, the storm is located about 150mi offshore and 215mi south to south-southeast of New Orleans, as located by Doppler radar, and moving more or less between the northwest and north-northwest at this point in time. Outer rain bands are beginning to affect regions of the entire northern Gulf coast and conditions are only going to go downhill from here.

At this rate of speed, the storm should be near New Orleans, likely as a category 4/5 hurricane, in about 18hr. Landfall is projected at or near the current intensity of 140kt within 10-12hr along the SE Louisiana coastline. As the system draws closer to the coast, the potential for a "saving grace" such as an eyewall cycle or increasing shear diminishes, increasing the potential catastrophic effects this storm may bring.

Further updates through the night.