Normalverkehr

Tropical Storm Gustav will continue to be the focus of potential serious weather for the next several days near the Gulf Coast, while a broadening ridge of high pressure will move through the heart of the country and bring dry conditions to many areas.

Tropical Storm Gustav was expected to start growing into a large and powerful hurricane as it pulled away from Jamaica and headed toward the Cayman Islands on Friday, the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s deadly strike on New Orleans, forecasters said.

The storm, which killed at least 68 people in the Caribbean in mudslides and floods, was set to strengthen over deep, warm Caribbean waters and was expected to plow ashore next week near New Orleans after roaring through the heavy concentration of U.S. oil and natural gas platforms off Louisiana.