Hurricane Ida Winds 150 mph Ahead Of Landfall Today

Sunday August 29 Morning Update

Hurricane Ida is doing what was expected, gaining strength and surpassing computer model guidance. This morning Hurricane Ida is a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph. What makes this even more dangerous is that this storm is in a phase of intensification. The internal structure is amping up.

By contrast, Katrina peaked at a Category 5, but was weakening to a Cat 3 at landfall. By the way, today is the 16 anniversary of that storm.

Ida’s minimum pressure now is 933 mb, close to where Katrina was at her peak.

As of 8 AM EDT, it located 50 miles from the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Hurricane force winds reach 50 miles from the center.

Tropical Storm Force Winds reach 140 mile from the center.

Hurricane Ida Satellite

“Life Threatening Storm” National Hurricane Center

Wind Risk: In addition to the broad storm circulation, multiple spin up tornados are likely. This severe risk will continue well inland after the storm weakens.

Flooding Risk: This will be the real test of the improved levee system. Rain could exceed 2 Feet, Storm Surge could push close to 20 Feet. The track just west of New Orleans will put that city on the strongest side of the storm!

National Hurricane Center Update:

8 AM EDT Sun Aug 29

LOCATION…28.5N 89.6W

ABOUT 50 MI…85 KM SW OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

ABOUT 100 MI…160 KM SE OF HOUMA LOUISIANA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…150 MPH…240 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 320 DEGREES AT 15 MPH…24 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…933 MB…27.55 INCHES

Satellite Loop

The eye at the center getting more clear and symmetrical. This is a signal of rapid pressure drop and even more strengthening. There is no way to overstate how devastating this will be for the coastline.

Forecast Landfall

Storm Surge Forecast

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…

* East of Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Louisiana to the

Alabama/Florida border

* Vermilion Bay, Lake Borgne, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas,

and Mobile Bay

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…

* Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Mouth of the Pearl River

* Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

* Cameron Louisiana to west of Intracoastal City Louisiana

* Mouth of the Pearl River to the Alabama/Florida border

Surface Weather Map

Hurricane Ida is entering the central Gulf of Mexico where even warmer water will feed into the rapid development. We still need to watch the inland path to reach us next week.

Impact on The Mid Atlantic…

Rain Simulation

Rain Forecast

At the core of landfall, rain will be between 1 and 2 FEET!. Locally in the Mid Atlantic we may see between 2 and 4 inches, with severe storms on top.