Hurricane Ida becomes Category 1 storm on its way to the United States

November 8, 7:42 AMNatural Disasters ExaminerTony Hake

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Hurricane Ida is approaching the Yucatan Peninsula and is
expected to strengthen to a Category 2 storm today.  As it enters
and passes through the Gulf of Mexico, the storm threatens
the United States Gulf Coast. (CIMSS)

What was once Hurricane Ida became Tropical Storm Ida and now once again is a hurricane as it heads north toward the U.S. The late season storm has proven quite resilient having survived a trip over Nicaragua and Honduras and is now heading through the Yucatan Channel and toward the Gulf of Mexico.

• Live Hurricane Tracker - Follow Hurricane Ida in real time

The National Hurricane Center pinned Hurricane Ida’s current position as 70 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico and 85 miles south-southwest of the western tip of Cuba. Moving at a pace of 12 mph to the northwest, the storm is forecast to gradually turn north and pick up speed as it does.

• Slideshow:  Latest satellite imagery and forecast tracks for Hurricane Ida
• Complete coverage: All the latest tropical storm & hurricane coverage from Examiner.com

With maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, Ida has reached Category 1 strength and may become a Category 2 storm (96 to 100 mph) today and into tonight. Hurricane force winds extend out from the storm 15 miles and tropical storm winds extend 140 miles.

The forecast track for Hurricane Ida.  There is a good deal of
uncertaintly in the forecast and interests along the Gulf Coast
should pay close attention.  A larger map is in our slideshow
below.

Ida’s forecast path will take it close to the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and then into the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico is issuing Hurricane Warnings for the peninsula from Playa Del Carmen to Cabo Catoche. Hurricane Watches are in effect from Tulum to Playa Del Carmen and a Tropical Storm Warning covers Punta Allen north to Playa Del Carment and from Cabo Catoche west to San Felipe. The Cuban province of Pinar Del Rio is under a Tropical Storm Warning as well.

As it passes the Yucatan Peninsula, 3 to 5 inches of rain can be expected with some areas receiving up to 10 inches. Storm surge of 3 to 4 feet is possible along with dangerous currents and battering waves.

Mexican authorities are preparing for Ida’s arrival and its possible impact on the popular resort cities along its path. In Cancun alone, there are 36,000 tourists and plans are being made for evacuations into shelters if needed.

Once the storm enters the Gulf of Mexico, the forecast track for Hurricane Ida gets a bit murky. The current consensus has the storm approaching the east-central Gulf Coast in 48 to 72 hours. It is then expected to encounter a cold front from the north and begin to turn east and eventually southeast without actually making landfall. As it does, it is expected to weaken and become extratropical.

However, not all of the models are in agreement and as the National Hurricane Center says, “there is a high degree of uncertainty in this part of the forecast scenario.” Tropical storm force winds, rain and dangerous surf are likely hazards for areas along the Gulf Coast where Ida passes.