After a chilly start this morning we are looking at a fantastic forecast today.  Highs will be in the mid 60s.  Sunshine the whole way through.  Then tomorrow highs will be in the upper 60s to low 70s.  A great weekend for a change. 

 Ida has strengthened a little more. 

The latest winds were at 60mph.  The pressure is at 997mb.  More strengthening is forecast in the next 2 days.  Eventually Ida will become extratropical.  It will become broader and will interact with some cooler air.  The upper level winds will increase.  While this will increase the wind shear, that actually may not weaken the storm in this case.  As it becomes extratropical it may actually use these upper level winds to maintain its intensity.  Mid-latitude storms (non-tropical storms) do use the upper level winds as part of their energy source.  Plus, the pressure gradient between Ida and the high to the north could create a broad area of strong surface winds along the Gulf coast.  It will be interesting to watch.

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler