Hurricane Ida at Category 1: First Hurricane to hit the US this year

November 9, 6:40 AMBaltimore Weather ExaminerTony Pann

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Baltimore Weather Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Hurricane Ida on Infared Satellite at 3am Monday Nov. 9 2009.  CIMSS

Hurricane Ida has peaked with winds of 105 mph, a strong Category 2 on the Saffir Simpson scale, and has now weakened to a Category 1 with winds of 90 mph.  After clipping Cancun on Sunday morning it entered the Gulf of Mexico, and has increased it's forward speed to the north at 15 mph.  Hurricane Warnings are in place from Alabama to Florida.  The most likely landfall appears to be between Mobile, Pensacola, and Panama City as a Category 1 Hurricane.  Hurricane Forece winds extends 35 miles from the center, Tropical Storm Force winds extend out 200 miles.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in Place for the waters near New Orleans, as the storm will pass to their east.   Rainfall along the path of Ida will range from 3-5 inches, with maximum amounts close to 8 inches.  A storm surge of 4-6 feet is expected at landfall.  Ida is now encountering cooler waters in the Gulf of Mexico, causing it to lose strength.  There are also strong upper level sheering winds, giving it a push to the east, and further weakening the storm.  The official forecast has Ida  holding on to Hurricane Strength when it makes landfall, which will make it the first hurricane to affect the US since Bill back in August, which had it's largest impact with deadly waves in Maine. This would be the first hurricane to hit the US all year. Check out these links for complete coverage:

Hurricane Ida: New Orleans forecast maps

Hurricane Ida: New Orleans Coastal Flood Warning

Hurricane Ida: New Orleans and Louisiana Marine Warnings

As of 4 AM Monday:

Location: 25.1°N 87.9°W
Max sustained: 90 mph  weakening...Category 1
Moving: NNW at 15 mph
Min pressure: 988 mb

More Links:

Full Ida Storm Update

Cancun Radar: Watch Hurricane Ida pass into Gulf of Mexico