Hurricane Ida

Hurricane Ida is currently located near the Yucatan Channel and is entering the southern Gulf of Mexico. The center of  Ida is located at 21.2 North and 86.0 West. Winds are at 90 mph. The system is moving n’west at 10 mph and the central pressure is 983 mb. The hurricane force wind field is very small with Ida. However, tropical storm force winds extend 140 miles from the center.

A hurricane watch is in effect from Grande Isle , LA to the MS/AL border. This includes Jackson County, MS in our viewing area. A surface high pressure center off the Carolina Coast will combine with Ida to produce strong pressure gradient force winds across our area, especially along the coast. A gale warning is in effect from Monday afternoon until late Tuesday.

Ida is being steered by a mid to upper level trough over the western Gulf and a mid to upper level ridge over the eastern Gulf and northern Caribbean. The forecast track is now a little faster and the models are in agreement that this system will pass very close to our area on Tuesday. Some strengthening is expected today, and then a weakening trend will begin on Monday. Ida will be tracking over cooler waters in the central and northern Gulf. The system will also encounter stronger wind shear on Monday and Tuesday. We expect Ida to transition into an extra-tropical low as it reaches the northern Gulf Coast.

Across our area, we expect quite a bit of rain, especially on Monday afternoon and Tuesday. We will see tides above normal along the coast, with winds to tropical storm force on Monday night and Tuesday. Conditions will improve of Wednesday as Ida weakens further and tracks north and east of our area.