A Columbus Day Hurricane In New Orleans?

Today's NOGAPS forecast suggests a possible fate for the storm I'm calling "Stan II" (until it actually develops and gets a name): a second New Orleans hurricane, just in time for Columbus Day! It's very worrisome, though: just a flick of fate and it could become a Tampa hurricane instead (or anywhere on the eastern Gulf of Mexico coast).

Hurricane Otis has winked out of existence, with just a remnant low left behind. It's moisture didn't rain out over AZ after all: instead, the moisture streamed NNE over the state, where it is contributing instead to a rain event in the northern Rockies (where they really need it), and will also soon contribute to heavy rains in the Great Plains along the Canadian border (and in Minnesota, where you are Bruce! Ask not, for whom the hurricane blows: it blows for thee!)

The Bahaman low continues to develop, and will cause heavy rains in eastern Florida (probably tomorrow), and the Carolinas (towards week's end).