The Gulf Coast is never usually hurricane proof, but we became protected when it came to Hurricane Dean's track. A dominant ridge of high pressure has been established across the southeast, which helped to keep Dean to our south. I have highlighted that high in the picture above. Notice the easterly upper level winds near Dean. Instead of turning north, Dean basically moved due west through the Caribbean.

Typically this high during the late summer sets up off the east coast near Bermuda. Meteorologists call this a "Bermuda High". That particular situation helps to usher systems into the Gulf where they move northwest toward the coast.

Fortunately, we had some atmospheric protection, but this gift may not last. The season will peak in the middle of September, so we have a few more months of the tropical weather season to endure. Stay tuned!