Tropical Storm Ida has emerged from Central America and is
now heading toward the Yucatan Channel and threatens Cuba
and Cancun. For the longer term it will enter the Gulf of Mexico
and possibly head toward the United States Gulf Coast. (CIMSS)

Tropical Storm Ida survived its trek over Nicaragua and Honduras and has reconstituted itself in the Caribbean. The late season storm drenched parts of Central America and now has its sights set on Cuba, Cancun and possibly a rendezvous with the United States.

Ida is currently 220 miles southwest of Grand Cayman Island or 280 miles southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Moving at a relatively slow pace of 8 mph toward the north-northwest, the storm is expected to increase in speed and approach the Yucatan Channel on Sunday. With winds of 45 mph and higher gusts, some strengthening of the tropical storm is forecast over the next two days.

• Video: Tropical Storm Ida strengthens - Satellite animations
• Slideshow: Tropical Storm Ida's forecast track & satellite imagery
• Live Tracker: Track Tropical Storm Ida in real time

Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches have been issued for many areas along the forecast path of Tropical Storm Ida. Grand Cayman Island is under a warning while the area between Punta Allen to San Felipe on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is under a watch as is western Cuba.
 

The current location and forecast track for Tropical Storm Ida.
For a larger map, see our slideshow below. (NHC)

Over the longer term, Isa will enter the Gulf of Mexico, continuing on a straight path toward New Orleans at least until Tuesday. A shortwave trough is expected to make a rather timely arrival in the northern Gulf at that time and give Ida a bit of a fight.

The National Hurricane Center expects the interaction between the two, coupled with increased wind shear, will cause Ida to weaken and become extratropical and begin a bit of a u-turn and away from the Gulf Coast of the United States. Some models do show the storm continuing north and making a landfall though so this storm should be watched closely. Certainly those along the Gulf Coast may see rain and dangerous surf conditions as the storm approached mid-week.