While still only June (well before the active period of a typical hurricane season) we are likely to experience our first Tropical Depression – named Alex – within the next 24 hours.  Dr. Jeff Masters currently gives Alex a 60% chance of obtaining Tropical Storm status and 10% chance of developing into a Hurricane (read article).  Landfall projections range from Mexico to Louisiana.

This storm’s effect on the oil-spill is still unknown and mired in conjecture.  CNN reports:

If a tropical cyclone moves into the Gulf of Mexico, it could have either positive or negative effects on the threat posed by the oil spill, said CNN meteorologist Chad Myers Thursday night. He said if the weather moves to the east of the gushing crude, the rotating winds would spin the oil-contaminated water out to sea. But if the storm heads west of the leak, the winds will blow the oil right onto the shore with the storm surge, Myers told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Full Article