This article was originally posted August 25, 2005 and is being re-published as part of a series of articles to commemorate the 4-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This article has no relation to any possible currently active tropical storm or hurricane.
Tropical Storm Katrina is bearing down on south Florida with 50mph winds this morning. The storm has not changed much in appearance over the last 24 hours. However, the National Hurricane Center believes Katrina could become a hurricane before making landfall later in the day.Tropical Storm warnings are currently in effect for the northwest Bahamas, whereas a hurricane warning is in effect for much of the Atlantic coast of south Florida. Tropical storm watches are in effect for the entire coast of central and south Florida.
Tropical Storm Katrina Forecast #7
Convection continues to build over Katrina indicative of a strenghtening tropical cyclone. Katrina has primarily been battling dry air being pushed into the system from the ridge to the north. Furthermore, upper-level wind shear is helping prevent the storm from intensifying too rapidly. Katrina, however, is being steered west by the north ridge and will continue to do so throughout the next 48 hours or so. Afterwards, an approaching trough from the plains is expected to break down the ridge and allow Katrina to move north. The current NHC forecast calls for a landfalling hurricane near Appalachicola early Monday morning.
Tropical Storm Katrina IR Imagery - Aug 25, 2005 courtesy NRL Monterey
The below QuickSCAT image shows a very well-defined tropical storm with a tight circulation near Grand Bahama island.
Tropical Storm Katrina QuickSCAT courtesy NASA
Katrina will also pose a serious threat of heavy rains. As the system moves slowly near 8mph, the NHC believes some areas could see up to 15 inches of rainfall.
