Hurricane Ida Strengthens…Significant rainfall expected in Central Alabama

Hurricane Ida is now a category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph. The storm has moved into the Gulf of Mexico and will continue tracking northward toward the central gulf coast.  Hurricane watches have been posted for areas from Pensacola, Florida west to New Orleans including Alabama’s entire gulf coast.

The hurricane is expected to bring heavy rain to central Alabama beginning late Monday into Monday night and Tuesday.  Some computer models are forecasting more than 3” of rain for parts of the viewing area.  As the hurricane sends tropical moisture northward into the state a cold front will be moving into the area enhancing the lift causing the rain to be very heavy at times.  Also, the front will bring a strong pressure gradient to the south as air is funneled from low pressure to high pressure.  This will cause gusty winds beginning Monday afternoon lasting into Tuesday.  Winds may gust over 30 mph in central Alabama.  Drier air will move in behind the front late Tuesday night into Wednesday.  This means drier weather will return later Wednesday morning.