Storm may not reach the Gulf of Mexico: forecasters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Dean, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane over the next day or so before crossing into the Caribbean Sea, might not reach the Gulf of Mexico, some weather models showed on Wednesday.

Some earlier models had shown the storm entering the region.

A couple of the models show Dean nearing the coast of Central America near the border of Nicaragua and Honduras over the next several days.

However, most models continue to show the storm crossing the Caribbean near Jamaica over the next five days or so.

The energy market is watching the storm because it could disrupt U.S. oil and natural gas production and refining if it enters the Gulf of Mexico.

Commodities traders also track tropical storms because they can damage crops in Florida and along the Gulf Coast.