The Leonids are a [meteor stream]? associated with the comet Tempel-Tuttle?. The meteor stream is thought to be comprised of particles ejected by the comet as it passes by the sun. When the earth moves through the meteor stream, a meteor shower can be witnessed.
The Leonids are famous because their meteor showers, or storms, can be among the most spectacular. They seem to follow a 33 year cycle, associated with the 33 year orbit of Tempel-Tuttle. Storms in peak years can feature thousands of meteors? per hour. Notable events were observed in 1799, 1833, 1866, and 1966. The storms in 2001 and 2002 are expected to be spectacular as well.
Well, according to [1]:
Based on my personal experience, the darker the sky the better. Two years ago [I saw] a few spectacular ones in my neighborhood, but in just two years the light pollution has gotten so bad that I'm seriously considering driving tens of miles out into the country.
As for it being a "dud," the models suggest the contrary. "Several models are predicting two significant peaks: one over the United States (especially towards the west) beginning about 3-4 am EST and lasting until 6-7 am EST. The maximum, according to these models, will occur around 5 am EST. The level of activity for this peak could be as much as 2000 meteors per hour." [1]
I see no reason to duplicate any more of the excellent content at the two external links that are already cited. <>< tbc