Ida has cleared the region between the Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba.  It’s what I like to call threading the needle, even though there is over 100 miles between the 2.  It is now moving into the Gulf of Mexico as predicted.  Here’s the latest satellite:

It’s still looking healthy.  You can’t see an eye on this satellite, but you might be able to by tonight.  The storm is forecast to continue strengthening.  Here’s the latest info and forecast:

By Monday morning winds are forecast to approach 100mph.  It’s possible that it could reach category 3 status at that point.  Remember the cutoff between a cat 2 and a cat 3 is 111mph.  So far it has intensified stronger than the recent forecasts by a little bit.  By Monday, however, it will start to see stronger wind shear.  Also the sea surface temperatures will be much cooler.  Here is a link to a sea surface temperature chart that shows where the cutoff is for 80 degree water: Sea Surface Temps

This system may undergo robust intensification, and then may weaken dramatically between Tuesday and Wednesday.  The forecast is for Ida to turn more to the northeast/East in the 5 day forecast.  You can go to wavy.com and check out the latest updates.  Just follow this link: wavy/hurricane

Locally, another nice day. Lots of sun.  Highs near 70.  Ida may bring us some moisture late Tuesday into Wednesday.  A cold front will interact with that moisture to bring us scattered showers by midweek.  Maybe some heavy rain, but it is a little far out to base a forecast off of a tropical system.  They are finicky.  Enjoy the nice weather. 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler