[Dow Jones] Possible first named storm of hurricane season poses "serious threat" to US Gulf Of Mexico during first half of next week, writes Jim Rouiller, a forecaster with Planalytics Inc. Storm expected to intensify to Tropical Storm Alex and could affect cleanup efforts of massive leak from BP PLC (BP, BP.LN) deepwater well. "Because the waters of the gulf are unusually warm as well and wind shear will be low, there is a distinct probability that Alex could grow into a hurricane as it moves into south-central portions of the gulf early next week," he writes. (mark.peters@dowjones.com) Contact us at 212-416-2457 (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 22, 2010 13:42 ET (17:42 GMT)