The tropical disturbance we’ve been tracking continues to develop, and likely will become Tropical Storm Don. The National Hurricane Center gives the tropical wave an 80 percent chance of blossoming into a tropical depression or storm during the next two days.

Look for it to be upgraded this afternoon when an aircraft reconnaissance plane investigates the disturbance.

In the large satellite image below the disturbance can be seen moving between the Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba this morning.

Satellite image as of 3:30 a.m. (NexSat, NRL/JPSS)

This is significant because it will no longer interact so much with the Yucatan Peninsula and accordingly will have more of an opportunity to strengthen over the warm Gulf of Mexico waters.

Perhaps the biggest news is that the models have shifted significantly northward, now bringing the system toward Texas. Here’s a look at the models from this morning.

to read more, go to:    http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2011/07/caribbean-system-nears-tropical-storm-strength-now-aimed-toward-texas-coast/