FORECAST:
The weekend should bring typical weather conditions to SWFL with heat & humidity. Look for storm chances by afternoon along coastal areas due to the ESE flow. Highs will reach the lower 90s both days.
Ida strengthened to become a category 1 hurricane this afternoon with 75mph winds. It made landfall at the Isle of Youth in Cuba but is not expected to weaken much as it moves over land. Once it pops back over the warm water of the Gulf, Ida is expected to strengthen rapidly as moves over the very warm water of the loop current. By Sunday, it is forecast to become a category 4 with 140 mph winds but weaken back to a cat. 3 just before landfall Sunday night.
TROPICAL UPDATE:
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Ida which is forecast to become a major hurricane before making landfall on the northern Gulf Coast. More info HERE
There are two other areas being monitored for possible development
The first is an elongated area of low pressure located over the central Atlantic about 650 miles east of Bermuda that is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are only forecast to be marginally conducive for development, but a tropical depression could still form over the weekend.
Formation chance through 48 hours is medium at 40 percent.
Formation chance through 5 days is medium at 60 percent.
The second is a tropical wave located about midway between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles that continues to produce a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of this system is expected, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days before it moves into an environment of stronger upper-level winds and slightly cooler waters.
Formation chance through 48 hours is high at 80 percent.
Formation chance through 5 days is high at 80 percent.
Another wave is forecast to move off the coast of Africa and track westward.
Formation chance through 48 hours is low at 0%
Formation chance through 5 days is low at 20%
FOX 4 METEOROLOGIST CINDY PRESZLER
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