Tick, tick, tick...October Is Coming...

As we wind down the last few days in September, there are no tropical threats coming into the Northern Gulf for the next 10-14days.   All the action is out in the Atlantic and I'm tired of talking about Sam.  Go check the NHC site if you want more info.  There are 2 systems farther off of Africa that could move on a more southern route that could move through the Caribbean and then into the southern Gulf 2 weeks from now.

For now, there is nothing we need to worry about as the Gulf and Caribbean are quiet.  That cluster of storms south of our coast is due to upper level divergence that acts like a chimney flue function enhancing T-Storm development.

Whenever you see the upper flow splitting, that creates/enhances low level lift and upward motion forms clouds & storms.

We have no fronts coming this week so any rain will be due to daytime heating and the upper level lift.  Notice our surface dew points have returned to 70+ giving that summer feel to the air once again.

The next 7 days will feel Summer-like with our next real front not likely until well into October.  It is starting to get chilly up in Alaska & Canada, but for that air to come into the U.S., we'll need another dip in the Jet stream over the Great Lakes to bring it southward.  Not happing for the next 10-14 days.

 Finally, some of you have asked to see the wind estimates from Hurricane Ida.  I got these from watching Zack Fradella last weekend on FOX 8.  Clearly, Ida will be reclassified/upgraded to a Cat. 5 based on these wind reports.   The Port Fourchon reading was at a height 30+ feet above the water, but that is an impressive number from a reliable gauge.

Before you all say..."way worse than Katrina", let me remind you that Katrina's storm surge topped 28 feet along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  I think calling Ida a "Monster" was the correct call.   Louisiana needs a break of several years that will allow us to recover. No More Storms....PLEASE!!!  Tomorrow, I'll talk about what we should have learned from Ida.  Stay tuned!