Observations from Dauphin Island, AL and Petit Bois Island, MS indicate the center of Tropical Storm Ida is coming ashore at this hour (5AM CST).
The National Hurricane Center reports in this mornings storm discussion that Tropical Storm Ida will merge with a frontal zone and a developing baroclinic low in the southeast US later today.
Ida has already begun an extratropical transition with the system spreading out and internal dewpoints well into the 40-50’s Farenheit.
There are no reports from the region as far as wind or tornadic damage is concerned. There are some reports of localized street flooding due to tidal surges up to three feet in many locations.
So far, no deaths have been reported.
The following storm details are based on data and conditions obtained between 4:30 AM and 5:30 AM CST, including the 10/0900Z National Hurricane Center advisory package.
Tropical Storm Ida Details
- as of 10/0900Z (3:00 AM CST):
- located 60 miles south-southwest of Mobile, AL;
- moving north (5°) at 8kts (9mph or 15kph);
- winds are 45kts (52mph or 83kph) with gusts to 55kts (63mph or 102kph);
- pressure is 999mb (29.50in);
- tropical storm-force winds extend up to 150 miles mainly to the southeast and as little as 60 miles to the southwest;
Tropical Storm Ida Forecast Path
- Tropical Storm Ida is forecast (as of 10/0900Z – 3:00 AM CST) to come ashore along the Mississippi/Alabama border around 6:00 AM CST;
- winds are expected to be near 35kts (40mph or 65kph) 40kts (46mph or 74kph);
Current watches and warnings
As of 9:00 UTC, 3:00 AM CST:
- Tropical Storm Warning:
- Grand Isle, LA to Aucilla River, FL including Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans, LA;
Current Weather Conditions
There have been no reports of wind or tornadic damage due to Ida so far.
At 3:00 AM CST, a tidal gauge at Shell Beach, LA reported a water level of 4 feet above normal, according to the NWS New Orleans. That station has been reporting northwest winds between 21kts (24mph or 39kph) and 25kts (29mph or 46kph) since 2AM this morning. The pressure has also been steady around 1008mb (29.76in).
Shell Beach, LA - Five day weather observations
Tidal gauges across LA, Lake Pontchartrain and Mississippi are reporting 3-foot-plus tides this morning.
Dauphin Island, AL has been reporting considerably weaker winds since shortly before midnight. Latest obs are southeast winds at 25kts (29mph or 46kph).
Pressure at Dauphin Island is falling rapidly, currently 1002mb (29.58in).
There are also numerous reports of street flooding from the local NWS offices in the region.
Satellite and Radar Presentation
- Mobile, AL radar shows mostly light rain across the region except one band of heavier rainfall stretching north to south across southeastern Mississippi;
- the heaviest rain by far is located well inland into central and northern Alabama and from western Mississippi into Georgia; this is due to combined moisture from Tropical Storm Ida and a front pushing through the region;
- GOES-IR color from 10/1045Z (4:45 AM CST) shows very warm cloud tops with the cooler cloud tops, -60°C (-76°F) far to the north in the heavier rain;
- water vapor imagery clearly shows the lack of deep-layer moisture near the center of Ida;
I will post another update around lunchtime with new observations or storm reports I find – earlier, if need be.
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The NHC has issued the last advisory on Ida. As of 9AM CST, Ida was located along the southern border of Alabama and Florida, moving north-northeast at 9mph. Winds were listed at 30kts but the NHC says those winds will be located over water.
Ida has become extratropical and may wind up becoming the dominant baroclinic low associated with the frontal system which was effectively killed Ida.