Dean will likely make a few landfalls over the Caribbean Islands from Friday into early next week.

With a large area of high pressure directing Dean to the west then a gradual turn to the west-northwest expected, the Lesser Antilles will be the first to feel Dean's wrath Friday.

The inland chain will endure pounding surf, torrential rain and battering winds into Friday night before Dean departs, likely moving over the Dominican Republic and Haiti this weekend.

The storm may then head toward the Gulf of Mexico next week. The Southeast, especially South Florida, should not let down its guard.