November 10, 2009

Tropical Storm Ida Makes Landfall

3-day cone of Tropical Storm Ida as of 6 a.m.

Tropical Storm Ida has made landfall near Mobile, Ala., and is tracking inland. Although it is weakening, gusty winds, heavy rain and strong storm surge are all expected. The storm will then quickly dissipate over land, becoming mainly a heavy rain producer through Wednesday. Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect from Grand Isle, La., to Aucilla River, Florida.


As of 6 a.m. CST (4 a.m. EST), Ida is located at 30.3 N, 88.0 W or about 25 miles south of Mobile, Ala. This places the center of Ida in Mobile Bay. Ida made landfall at about 5:40 a.m. CST on Dauphin Island, Ala.

Ida has slowed a bit, now moving northeast at 9 mph, and will likely continue slowing down as it makes landfall in southern Alabama and then turn east into Florida`s panhandle today before dissipating to a depression Tuesday evening or early Wednesday in northern Florida.

Top sustained winds have weakened to 45 mph. This is down from its peak of 105 mph, and additional weakening is likely in the next 24 to 36 hours. Its central minimum pressure has risen to 29.50 inches or 999 mb. Tropical storm force winds extend out up to 175 miles.

Rain from the tropical storm is spreading as far north as central Alabama and western Florida, with totals through Wednesday morning reaching as high as 8 inches across the Florida Panhandle. Heavy rain will extend across the Southeast into the eastern Tennessee Valley and even in the southern Appalachians later tonight and early Tuesday.



No comments:

Post a Comment