Tropical Storm Idalia to become hurricane, strike Florida

Davis Nolan
·2 min read
4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecasted to be the hurricane to hit the United States mainland this Atlantic Basin hurricane season.

The 10 AM advisory from the National Hurricane Center has Idalia moving north just under 10 mph. It is about 80 miles from the western tip of Cuba.

Tropical Storm Idalia takes aim at Gulf of Mexico on a possible track toward the US, forecasters say

Hurricane & Tropical Storm warnings have been issued for western & north central Florida.

Idalia will strengthen with time. One reason is the very warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Note the water temperatures.

Major storm strengthening is expected within the next 24-40 hours. It will become a hurricane by Monday afternoon or evening. On Tuesday, it’s a Category 2 hurricane. A Major Hurricane (Category 3) is expected by late Tuesday into Wednesday.

The current forecast track has it coming ashore in the “Big Bend” area of Florida near Cedar Key on Wednesday morning.

As it passes west of areas like Ft. Myers, Charlotte Harbor, and Tampa/St. Petersburg, it is expected to create flooding tides along Florida’s west coast, with the highest surge just to the right of where the storm makes landfall.

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Here are some of the expected tides in Florida late Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center:

  • Aucilla River to Chassahowitzka: Seven to 11 feet

  • Chassahowitzka to Anclote River: Six to nine feet

  • Ochlockonee River to Aucilla River: Four to seven feet

  • Anclote River to Middle of Longboat Key: Four to seven feet

  • Tampa Bay: Four to seven feet

  • Middle of Longboat Key to Chokoloskee: Three to five feet

  • Englewood to Chokoloskee: Two to four feet

  • Charlotte Harbor: Two to four feet

  • Indian Pass to Ochlockonee River: Two to four feet

  • Chokoloskee to East Cape Sable: One to three feet

  • Florida Keys: One to two feet

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In addition, rain bands on the eastern side of the storm will affect the peninsula of Florida with possible embedded tornadoes.

The latest from the National Hurricane Center can be found on its website.

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