(NOAA IMAGES)- HURRICANE KATRINA
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(As the 4 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall in Mississippi approaches, the Jackson Weather Examiner will revisit the events leading up to that devastating day.)
Hurricane Katrina weakens briefly to a tropical storm early on August 26, 2005, after making landfall in southeastern Florida, on the evening of August 25th, with winds near 70 mph.
But Katrina would quickly intensify back to a Category 1 hurricane with winds near 80 mph by late morning, after emerging off the southwestern coast of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Katrina was located 45 northwest of Key West, Florida, moving west near 7 mph.
Hurricane force winds extended out 25 miles and tropical storm force winds extended out 85 miles from the center.
By early afternoon, reports from an Air Force Reserve Unit Hurricane Hunter Aircraft, indicated winds had increased up to 100 mph, (Category 2 hurricane) with Katrina forecast to become a major hurricane over the next few days.
National Hurricane Center Discussion:
KATRINA IS EXPECTED TO BE MOVING OVER THE GULF LOOP CURRENT AFTER 36 HOURS...WHICH WHEN COMBINED WITH DECREASING VERTICAL SHEAR...SHOULD ALLOW THE HURRICANE TO REACH CATEGORY FOUR STATUS BEFORE LANDFALL OCCURS.
By evening, Hurricane Katrina takes an unexpected track toward the west southwest near 8 mph.
As a result of this more southerly track, the National Hurricane Center, shifts its possible track of Katrina from the Florida Panhandle to the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coasts.
National Hurricane Discussion:
THE OFFICIAL FORECAST BRINGS THE CORE OF THE INTENSE HURRICANE OVER THE NORTH CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO IN 48 HOURS OR SO. IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE GUIDANCE SPREAD HAS DECREASED AND MOST OF THE RELIABLE NUMERICAL MODEL TRACKS ARE NOW CLUSTERED BETWEEN THE EASTERN COAST OF LOUISIANA AND THE COAST OF MISSISSIPPI.
By late evening, Hurricane Katrina intensifies further, with winds up to 105 mph.
Hurricane Katrina is located 460 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and about 115 miles west of Key West, Florida.
Hurricane force winds extended out 25 miles and tropical storm force winds extended out 85 miles from the center.
National Hurricane Center predicts, Hurricane Katrina will strike the town of Buras-Triumph, Louisiana, over 65 miles southeast of New Orleans.
Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco declares a state of emergency for the state of Louisiana.
Hurricane Katrina is now only 3 days away from striking the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with preparations ongoing.
Over the next 3 days, Hurricane Katrina will grow in size and intensity as it aims for the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coasts.
(Further updates expected over the next few days as we mark the 4 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst hurricanes to strike the state and the country.)
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