KATC StormTeam 3 Weather BLOG

Tropical Storm Ida continues to churn toward the Mississippi/Alabama/Florida Panhandle coasts this evening with gusty winds and heavy rains.  Fortunately here in Acadiana the upper level disturbance that most of us thought would bring some rains across the area sealed us off from any of Ida’s direct effects.  As we have alluded to over the last several days it’s nearly impossible to ascertain interactions of tropical systems with non-tropical upper lows and as a result there was a lot of flip-flopping with respect to the local forecast.  This time around, the upper low and the tropical system produced constructive interference so no heavy rains in the area…we’ll take that and run!  Breezy conditions should kick up a bit overnight tonight through tomorrow as weakening tropical systems almost always spread out their wind fields during and after landfall.  But gusty north winds no higher than 15-25 mph are expected later tonight during the day Tuesday.  A few spotty showers are possible but not likely overnight.  Skies should become partly cloudy by morning with mostly sunny skies and breezy conditions anticipated for tomorrow afternoon.  The weather looks to stay quite nice for the rest of the week and perhaps until Sunday when a weak cool front will try to push through with a few showers possible.

Conditions offshore the Louisiana coast were quite different with 4-6ft seas reported this afternoon at South Marsh Island 268 (about 50 miles south of the Acadiana coast) while South Timbalier 300 about 85 miles south of Houma indicated 14-16ft seas with occasional 20ft waves and sustained winds at 40mph with higher gusts.  Meanwhile I received some pictures from Visoca Knoll 917 which is about 90 miles due south of Mobile where the seas were 20-25ft with hurricane force gust to 90mph were reported as the worst of Ida moved through this afternoon.  One picture is published below but ou can check out more pictures on KATC’s Online Community.  Rob