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OT: Busiest Time of the Tropical Season - Hurricane Iota slams Nicaragua w/155 mph winds

Unfortunately, Sally is now blowing up at the last minute with with the eye having just closed off and winds increasing from 80 mph at 5 pm to 105 mph as of a special 2 am update. Storm is still moving very slowly (2-3 mph) with the center of the eye only 30 miles offshore, but still has ~8 hours over water before landfall around Gulf Shores AL, just 15-20 miles east of Mobile and just ~20 miles west of Pensacola and could strengthen just a bit more. Note that with a 30 mile wide eye, the eyewall will very likely stretch from Mobile Bay on the west to just about Pensacola on the east. This could lead to increased storm surges back to where they were 30 hours ago, i.e., back up to 6-9' for the area from Mobile to just east of Pensacola, instead of the current 4-6'.


000
WTNT64 KNHC 160555
TCUAT4

Hurricane Sally Tropical Cyclone Update
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL192020
100 AM CDT Wed Sep 16 2020

...SALLY CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN, A SPECIAL ADVISORY IS COMING OUT
SHORTLY...

Recent data from An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft and
the Mobile Alabama Doppler weather radar indicate that Sally's
maximum sustained winds have increased to 105 mph (165 km/h).

Further strengthening is possible, and a Special Advisory will be
issued within 15 minutes in lieu of the intermediate advisory to
update the intensity forecast.


SUMMARY OF 100 AM CDT...0600 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...29.9N 87.8W
ABOUT 60 MI...95 KM SSE OF MOBILE ALABAMA
ABOUT 55 MI...85 KM SW OF PENSACOLA FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...105 MPH...165 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 030 DEGREES AT 2 MPH...4 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...968 MB...28.58 INCHES

$$
Forecaster Stewart/Blake

Sally made landfall around 5:45 am at Gulf Shores, AL, as a 105 mph hurricane, with plenty of wind gusts in the 100 mph range. Major storm surge occurred and is ongoing especially in NW FL. 10"+ has fallen along the coast with another 5-8" to come from there through much of inland AL with 4-6" common throughout northern GA, NW SC and central NC, as per the graphic below. Could also be some isolated small tornadoes to the east of the track.


Hurricane Sally Tropical Cyclone Update
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL192020
500 AM CDT Wed Sep 16 2020

...THE CENTER OF THE EYE OF CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE SALLY MAKES
LANDFALL NEAR GULF SHORES ALABAMA...
...CATASTROPHIC AND LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING LIKELY ALONG
PORTIONS OF THE NORTH-CENTRAL GULF COAST...

At approximately 445 AM CDT...0945 UTC...the center of Hurricane
Sally's eye made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a Category 2
hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a
minimum central pressure of 965 mb (28.50 inches).

SUMMARY OF 500 AM CDT...1000 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...30.3N 87.7W
ABOUT 0 MI...0 KM N OF GULF SHORES ALABAMA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...105 MPH...165 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 020 DEGREES AT 3 MPH...5 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...965 MB...28.50 INCHES

HbP2Rut.png
 
Wow, were they off 2-3 days ago on the track of Sally - they had it going much farther to the west before it made landfall.
Sunday afternoon was the last forecast with it hitting near New Orleans (2.5 days ago) and it made landfall 140 miles east of there, which is pretty far off for that timeframe. Laura, for example, was nearly spot on 3 days out. The slow movement was a big part of that - tracks are very hard to forecast accurately without clear steering currents. Intensity also yo-yo-ed quite a bit the last few days, which is really hard to predict.
 
Hurricane Teddy : One model has Teddy forecasted as major hurricane - category 3 - to hit Bermuda and then to hit east coast in Nova Scotia / New Foundland area

Long way off for sure but bears watching.
Latest on Hurricane Teddy: Several models have the track edging further west and south even hitting New England. Hurricane is expected to be a major Cat 3.
Long way out and so much can change but pay attention.
 
Latest on Hurricane Teddy: Several models have the track edging further west and south even hitting New England. Hurricane is expected to be a major Cat 3.
Long way out and so much can change but pay attention.

Phil - that's incorrect now and was incorrect yesterday. One model has shown the storm coming close to downeast Maine, with the rest showing Teddy staying well out to sea, which is what the official NHC forecast track shows. Teddy is extremely unlikely to strike the US. Teddy is up to Cat 4 though, now, with winds at 140 mph and forecast to strengthen to 150 mph by tomorrow. Let's hope it stays far enough east of Bermuda, which it will come near on Sunday as a 110-120 mph storm, as per the forecast.

We also have tropical depression 22, likely to be Wilfred soon, in the SW Gulf of Mexico and forecast to be a strong TS looping around in the GOM and threatening far southern Texas/northern Mexico in 5-6 days, but that track is iffy, given weak steering currents in place.
 
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The busiest tropical season, ever, to date, continues.

Teddy will not be striking the US and probably won't even be that close to Maine.

Wilfred formed in the far east Atlantic, but is no threat to anyone.

However TD-22, soon to be Alpha in the GOM, is a threat to the Texas coast in 4-6 days and if it doesn't hi TX during that time, could meander up along the coast beyond that, eventually threatening LA or other locations.

145015_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png
 
Maine is not out of the danger zone. I understand currently the cone of uncertainty does not include Maine but a quick wiggle to the west and Maine is impacted. Right now Nova Scotia is in the bullseye.

Given what I saw from the Hurricane Sally forecasts, the models were off in terms of where the storm landed and it’s aftermath heading as far north as Virginia etc.

Within 48 hours the models grossly miscalculated a landfall way west and an exit of the storm way south.

Hope Teddy is a fish storm.
 
Maine is not out of the danger zone. I understand currently the cone of uncertainty does not include Maine but a quick wiggle to the west and Maine is impacted. Right now Nova Scotia is in the bullseye.

Given what I saw from the Hurricane Sally forecasts, the models were off in terms of where the storm landed and it’s aftermath heading as far north as Virginia etc.

Within 48 hours the models grossly miscalculated a landfall way west and an exit of the storm way south.

Hope Teddy is a fish storm.

Totally different situation. Sally was moving at a crawl with no steering currents, which makes track forecasting very difficult, while Teddy is moving much faster and has much clearer steering currents (and Sally never headed into Virginia). Plus Sally's 5-day track error was actually only about 130 miles, which is well within the +/- 200 mile cone at 5 days; average track errors are 170 miles at 4 days and Maine is still outside of that. Also, if the current Teddy track is off by 130 miles at 4-5 days, it'll still miss Maine by 50-75 miles.

In addition, Maine will be on the left/weak side of the storm, so unless Teddy comes within 30-40 miles of Maine, it's only effects will be on the seas/surf. I'm not an absolutist on such things so I won't say it's impossible for Teddy to come within 30-40 miles of Maine, but we're talking <1% chance in this setup and maybe a 0.01% chance of actually making landfall in Maine. To which someone will bring up Dumb and Dumber, I'm sure.
 
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The busiest tropical season, ever, to date, continues.

Teddy will not be striking the US and probably won't even be that close to Maine.

Wilfred formed in the far east Atlantic, but is no threat to anyone.

However TD-22, soon to be Alpha in the GOM, is a threat to the Texas coast in 4-6 days and if it doesn't hi TX during that time, could meander up along the coast beyond that, eventually threatening LA or other locations.

145015_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png

This crazy season continues. We now have tropical storm beta (not alpha - see below), our 23rd named storm this year (ahead of 2005's record pace, with 2005 reaching 28) which was named this afternoon in the Gulf and is forecast to meander slowly towards the central Texas coast near Victoria in 3-4 days, while strengthening into a Cat 1 hurricane, after which it's forecast to turn NE and parallel the TX coast, moving more quickly, coming very close to Houston in 5 days. Slow moving storms are very hard to predict and the GOM is still pretty damn warm, so lots of uncertainty on this track and intensity forecasat.

So about alpha. This was one of the shortest-lived storms I've ever seen (about 6 hours), as it formed earlier today, as a subtropical storm and made landfall in Portugal this evening with 45-50 mph winds, which is very unusual.

Teddy continues churning through the Atlantic as a Cat 4 hurricane (130 mph now) and will come within about 75-100 miles of Bermuda, but there shouldn't be any major impacts (unlike Paulette last week). Teddy will likely slam into Nova Scotia in about 4 days as an 85-90 mph "extratropical hurricane" i.e., as a hurricane strength storm transitioning from tropical (warm core) to extratropical (cold core). We will see large swells, heavy surf and riptides starting by Sunday and lasting a few days.

Lastly, weak TS Wilfred in the central Atlantic is likely to dissipate to nothing over the next few days.


PIzdLMi.png
 
Just got back from the truck rest stop around exit 19 on Rt. 80 West - Tyler was doing some star photography - it was quite brisk there.
So about alpha. This was one of the shortest-lived storms I've ever seen (about 6 hours), as it formed earlier today, as a subtropical storm and made landfall in Portugal this evening with 45-50 mph winds, which is very unusual.
Would this storm even have been acknowledged 20, 40 years ago?
 
Just got back from the truck rest stop around exit 19 on Rt. 80 West - Tyler was doing some star photography - it was quite brisk there.

Would this storm even have been acknowledged 20, 40 years ago?

I would think so - 50 mph with landfall on Portugal is noticeable, especially given how rare this is - think it's only the 2nd tropical/subtropical system to ever make landfall on the Iberian Peninsula. If this had formed in the middle of nowhere and lasted 6-8 hours? No.
 
This crazy season continues. We now have tropical storm beta (not alpha - see below), our 23rd named storm this year (ahead of 2005's record pace, with 2005 reaching 28) which was named this afternoon in the Gulf and is forecast to meander slowly towards the central Texas coast near Victoria in 3-4 days, while strengthening into a Cat 1 hurricane, after which it's forecast to turn NE and parallel the TX coast, moving more quickly, coming very close to Houston in 5 days. Slow moving storms are very hard to predict and the GOM is still pretty damn warm, so lots of uncertainty on this track and intensity forecasat.

So about alpha. This was one of the shortest-lived storms I've ever seen (about 6 hours), as it formed earlier today, as a subtropical storm and made landfall in Portugal this evening with 45-50 mph winds, which is very unusual.

Teddy continues churning through the Atlantic as a Cat 4 hurricane (130 mph now) and will come within about 75-100 miles of Bermuda, but there shouldn't be any major impacts (unlike Paulette last week). Teddy will likely slam into Nova Scotia in about 4 days as an 85-90 mph "extratropical hurricane" i.e., as a hurricane strength storm transitioning from tropical (warm core) to extratropical (cold core). We will see large swells, heavy surf and riptides starting by Sunday and lasting a few days.

Lastly, weak TS Wilfred in the central Atlantic is likely to dissipate to nothing over the next few days.


PIzdLMi.png

No huge changes really. Teddy has weakened to a 115 mph Cat 3 hurricane and will be passing far enough east of Bermuda to only produce tropical storm conditions and will be transitioning to an extratropical system in about 72 hours as it likely makes landfall on Nova Scotia with 80-85 mph winds, which will cause some surge and likely wind damage.

Tropical Storm Beta is no longer forecast to become a hurricane, as it's been hit with some shear and dry air and is only expected to be a 50-60 mph TS when it makes landfall along the central TX coast sometime on Tuesday, likely followed by a sharp turn NE just inland of the coast or even along the coast, reaching LA. However, the storm continues to move slowly, so that forecast is still pretty uncertain. By far the biggest threat with this storm is the torrential flooding rains, which could reach 10-20" along the TX/LA coasts and 5-10" for areas 100+ miles inland from the TX/LA coasts.


OdvoJZy.png
 
First time in a few months we've had zero systems and zero threats in the Atlantic Basin. We could use the break. Four more to go to tie 2008's record of 28 named storms.
 
We now have a new tropical depression (TD-25) in the Caribbean, just SE of the Yucatan Peninsula, about to become the 24th named storm of the season (Gamma, iirc). Right now the storm doesn't look like much and isn't predicted to become much, but one always has to worry about slow moving storms in the very warm GOM, so need to watch this after day 5...

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at5+shtml/150146.shtml?cone#contents

Wb19vNm.png
 
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We now have a new tropical depression (TD-25) in the Caribbean, just SE of the Yucatan Peninsula, about to become the 24th named storm of the season (Gamma, iirc). Right now the storm doesn't look like much and isn't predicted to become much, but one always has to worry about slow moving storms in the very warm GOM, so need to watch this after day 5...

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at5+shtml/150146.shtml?cone#contents

Wb19vNm.png

Well, TS Gamma has been meandering around the Yucatan region this weekend, bringing flooding rains to that area and will continue to do so for the next few day before likely dissipating in the GOM just north of there. However, TD-26 has formed not far from where Gamma formed, but this system is very likely to become TS, then hurricane Delta over the next few days, as it moves mostly NW from the Caribbean through the Straits of Yucatan or just over the western tip of Cuba (possibly as a Cat 1 hurricane) and then heads north towards the northern Gulf Coast.

Unfortunately the 5-day NHC forecast has the center of the track placing Delta right over New Orleans as a Cat 2 hurricane in 120 hours. So far, NO has dodged two major bullets this season, as both Laura and Sally at about 5 days out were forecast to make landfall in the NO area, but fortunately, steering currents were weak for those storms 5-days out and conditions changed and those storms made landfall well west (Laura) and east (Sally) of New Orleans, just bringing moderate rains (not unusual as the error on the track center is +/- 200 miles at 5 days). We'll see how this one pans out, but this time the steering currents look to be better defined than they were for those two other storms, so NO is probably in more danger from this storm.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 05/0300Z 17.0N 77.3W 30 KT 35 MPH
12H 05/1200Z 17.4N 78.3W 35 KT 40 MPH
24H 06/0000Z 18.3N 79.8W 40 KT 45 MPH
36H 06/1200Z 20.0N 81.9W 50 KT 60 MPH
48H 07/0000Z 22.2N 84.4W 65 KT 75 MPH
60H 07/1200Z 24.1N 87.0W 80 KT 90 MPH
72H 08/0000Z 25.4N 88.8W 85 KT 100 MPH
96H 09/0000Z 27.2N 90.4W 90 KT 105 MPH
120H 10/0000Z 30.0N 89.9W 75 KT 85 MPH...INLAND

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/023600.shtml?cone#contents

iWFGncn.png
 
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Well, TS Gamma has been meandering around the Yucatan region this weekend, bringing flooding rains to that area and will continue to do so for the next few day before likely dissipating in the GOM just north of there. However, TD-26 has formed not far from where Gamma formed, but this system is very likely to become TS, then hurricane Delta over the next few days, as it moves mostly NW from the Caribbean through the Straits of Yucatan or just over the western tip of Cuba (possibly as a Cat 1 hurricane) and then heads north towards the northern Gulf Coast.

Unfortunately the 5-day NHC forecast has the center of the track placing Delta right over New Orleans as a Cat 2 hurricane in 120 hours. So far, NO has dodged two major bullets this season, as both Laura and Sally at about 5 days out were forecast to make landfall in the NO area, but fortunately, steering currents were weak for those storms 5-days out and conditions changed and those storms made landfall well west (Laura) and east (Sally) of New Orleans, just bringing moderate rains (not unusual as the error on the track center is +/- 200 miles at 5 days). We'll see how this one pans out, but this time the steering currents look to be better defined than they were for those two other storms, so NO is probably in more danger from this storm.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 05/0300Z 17.0N 77.3W 30 KT 35 MPH
12H 05/1200Z 17.4N 78.3W 35 KT 40 MPH
24H 06/0000Z 18.3N 79.8W 40 KT 45 MPH
36H 06/1200Z 20.0N 81.9W 50 KT 60 MPH
48H 07/0000Z 22.2N 84.4W 65 KT 75 MPH
60H 07/1200Z 24.1N 87.0W 80 KT 90 MPH
72H 08/0000Z 25.4N 88.8W 85 KT 100 MPH
96H 09/0000Z 27.2N 90.4W 90 KT 105 MPH
120H 10/0000Z 30.0N 89.9W 75 KT 85 MPH...INLAND

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/023600.shtml?cone#contents

iWFGncn.png

Unfortunately, TS Delta has strengthened fairly rapidly today, from a 35 mph TD at 5 am to a 70 mph TS at 5 pm and strengthening is expected to continue for the next day or two, until Delta reaches major, Cat 3 hurricane strength as it grazes the Yucatan Peninsula coast right near Cancun in about 36 hours (with 120 mph winds forecast by then).

After that, the storm is forecast to continue NW through the GOM, turning north towards the LA coast, with landfall expected late Friday, although most likely as a Cat 2 storm, after some weakening. The weakening is forecast due to the combination of increased SWerly shear and cooler waters (than normal) near the Gulf Coast, but relying on weakening in the last day or so before landfall is a risky proposition.

All the usual caveats apply, i.e., track forecasts are +/- 160 miles at 4 days out, so anywhere from the TX/LA border to the NW FL Panhandle needs to watch this closely, but this is looking like a storm with a greater than usual track confidence given fairly well defined steering currents, which means New Orleans might not escape this one. Also, intensity forecasts are usually much less accurate than track forecasts, so the storm could easily be 20-30 mph weaker or stronger than the 100 mph forecast at landfall in LA. And all the usual risks apply: life-threatening storm surge (especially on the east side of landfall), high winds, flooding rains (4-8" possible along the coast and well inland), tornadoes on the NE side, downed trees/power outages, etc.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 05/2100Z 16.2N 79.4W 60 KT 70 MPH
12H 06/0600Z 17.1N 80.9W 75 KT 85 MPH
24H 06/1800Z 19.0N 83.5W 95 KT 110 MPH
36H 07/0600Z 21.0N 86.2W 105 KT 120 MPH
48H 07/1800Z 22.6N 88.7W 105 KT 120 MPH
60H 08/0600Z 23.7N 90.6W 105 KT 120 MPH
72H 08/1800Z 24.8N 91.5W 95 KT 110 MPH
96H 09/1800Z 28.5N 91.5W 85 KT 100 MPH
120H 10/1800Z 33.0N 89.0W 40 KT 45 MPH...INLAND

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/174744.shtml?cone#contents

eyqf3F9.png
 
Looks like perdido key will get another hit. What’s the expected rain amt and wind force.
If the forecast track holds, Perdido will be fine, as the center of the forecast track is almost 200 miles west of there, so Perdido is righ on the edge of the "cone of uncertainty." However, I really don't think this will be like Sally, whose track forecast was made incredibly difficult by the lack of steering currents, resulting in a crawling storm (3-5 mph) and a 150 mile error 3 days out (forecast to hit SE LA, but hit east of Mobile), which is huge.

Delta is forecast to be moving at >15 mph from hrs 72-120, which is much faster than Sally and much easier to forecast accurately. At this point, I'd be surprised if the actual track is off by more than 100 miles from the current forecast. Even if the track is 100 miles east of the current forecast, that's still ~100 miles west of Perdido, which would just then bring some heavy rains and maybe tropical storm force gusts and a few feet of surge, which is way, way, less than they got from Sally. On the current track, heavy rain would be the only real risk with maybe some minor tidal flooding. The key thing to watch is when does the storm turn north - if it's after it has reached ~91W early Thursday, then Perdido should end up doing ok. Good luck.
 
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Delta is forecast to be moving at >15 mph from hrs 72-120, which is much faster than Sally and much easier to forecast accurately. At this point, I'd be surprised if the actual track is off by more than 100 miles from the current forecast. Even if the track is 100 miles east of the current forecast, that's still ~100 miles west of Perdido, which would just then bring some heavy rains and maybe tropical storm force gusts and a few feet of surge, which is way, way, less than they got from Sally. On the current track, heavy rain would be the only real risk with maybe some minor tidal flooding. The key thing to watch is when does the storm turn north - if it's after it has reached ~91W early Thursday, then Perdido should end up doing ok. Good luck.
I watched Weather Underground tonight on the weather channel just out of curiosity - they presented such a huge range of possibilities on where it will hit based on all of these factors that it's almost silly they're trying to make a forecast. They say things like: "Delta is going to become a major hurricane unless it runs into wind shear, but at this point that seems unlikely although it's too early to forecast." What? They talk about the effect Gamma will have on it, but they're not sure if Gamma will do that. Blah, blah, blah.
 
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I watched Weather Underground tonight on the weather channel just out of curiosity - they presented such a huge range of possibilities on where it will hit based on all of these factors that it's almost silly they're trying to make a forecast. They say things like: "Delta is going to become a major hurricane unless it runs into wind shear, but at this point that seems unlikely although it's too early to forecast." What? They talk about the effect Gamma will have on it, but they're not sure if Gamma will do that. Blah, blah, blah.

That's the reality of the situation, though - why do you have an issue with that? I watched the same segment and thought they did a nice job of discussing the uncertainties that might affect both track and intensity. This is still far from an exact science.
 
Delta has undergone serious strengthening and is up to a Cat 4 with 140 mph winds and is aimed at the Yucatan Peninsula/Cancun, where it should make landfall Wednesday morning as a Cat 4 hurricane. After that the storm is likely going to hit somewhere in LA (central LA is the center of the cone) as a Cat 2/3 (some weakening is still forecast before landfall) Friday night; areas to the east of the track, including New Orleans, especially, but even the MS/AL coasts (and especially if the track moves east) need to watch closely as surges and winds are always worst to the east of the track. More to come at 5 pm with the 5 pm update...
 
Unfortunately, TS Delta has strengthened fairly rapidly today, from a 35 mph TD at 5 am to a 70 mph TS at 5 pm and strengthening is expected to continue for the next day or two, until Delta reaches major, Cat 3 hurricane strength as it grazes the Yucatan Peninsula coast right near Cancun in about 36 hours (with 120 mph winds forecast by then).

After that, the storm is forecast to continue NW through the GOM, turning north towards the LA coast, with landfall expected late Friday, although most likely as a Cat 2 storm, after some weakening. The weakening is forecast due to the combination of increased SWerly shear and cooler waters (than normal) near the Gulf Coast, but relying on weakening in the last day or so before landfall is a risky proposition.

All the usual caveats apply, i.e., track forecasts are +/- 160 miles at 4 days out, so anywhere from the TX/LA border to the NW FL Panhandle needs to watch this closely, but this is looking like a storm with a greater than usual track confidence given fairly well defined steering currents, which means New Orleans might not escape this one. Also, intensity forecasts are usually much less accurate than track forecasts, so the storm could easily be 20-30 mph weaker or stronger than the 100 mph forecast at landfall in LA. And all the usual risks apply: life-threatening storm surge (especially on the east side of landfall), high winds, flooding rains (4-8" possible along the coast and well inland), tornadoes on the NE side, downed trees/power outages, etc.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 05/2100Z 16.2N 79.4W 60 KT 70 MPH
12H 06/0600Z 17.1N 80.9W 75 KT 85 MPH
24H 06/1800Z 19.0N 83.5W 95 KT 110 MPH
36H 07/0600Z 21.0N 86.2W 105 KT 120 MPH
48H 07/1800Z 22.6N 88.7W 105 KT 120 MPH
60H 08/0600Z 23.7N 90.6W 105 KT 120 MPH
72H 08/1800Z 24.8N 91.5W 95 KT 110 MPH
96H 09/1800Z 28.5N 91.5W 85 KT 100 MPH
120H 10/1800Z 33.0N 89.0W 40 KT 45 MPH...INLAND

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/174744.shtml?cone#contents

eyqf3F9.png

Delta has undergone some amazing strengthening: from 35 mph yesterday at 5 am to 70 mph yesterday at 5 pm to 100 mph today at 5 am and finally to 145 mph today at 5 pm. And the strengthening is expected to continue right up until landfall on the eastern tip of the Yucatan near Cancun Wednesday morning, with the hurricane now forecast to be almost a Cat 5 storm with 155 mph winds by then, which would make it the worst storm to make landfall in that area since Cat 5 Gilbert in 1988, which destroyed much of the area. This storm will simply be catastrophic for that area with incredibly damaging winds, huge storm surge, flooding rains and more - hopefully most can evacuate.

Beyond that, the storm is likely to lose some strength going over the Yucatan (down to 120-130 mph), but is then expected to re-strengthen to ~130 mph (cat 4 again) in the Gulf. The storm is very likely going to hit somewhere in LA (central LA is the center of the cone) as a probable Cat 3 (111-129 mph), as some weakening is still forecast before landfall, due to shear and slightly below surface temps in the northern GOM. With landfall on the northern Gulf Friday night still 3.5 days away, people from the TX/LA border to the LA/MS border need to be preparing for a potential major hurricane, although central LA is still looking like the most likely location for landfall (although the latest Euro has Delta striking in western LA). Delta is also forecast to become much larger than it is now, when it's in the GOM.

Areas to the east of the track, including New Orleans and the LA coast east of the storm's track are still at risk of significant storm surge and high winds and tornadoes and flooding rains. Even places along the MS/AL coasts (especially if the track moves east) need to watch closely as surges are always worst to the east of the track. There will also be flooding rains along the LA coast (5-10") and even well inland in LA/MS, in particular (3-6"), as well as the risk of tornadoes to the NE of the track. This is a serious storm with major to potentially catastrophic impacts looking likely.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 06/2100Z 18.9N 84.1W 125 KT 145 MPH
12H 07/0600Z 20.2N 86.1W 135 KT 155 MPH
24H 07/1800Z 21.8N 88.8W 105 KT 120 MPH
36H 08/0600Z 23.0N 91.1W 110 KT 125 MPH
48H 08/1800Z 24.4N 92.6W 115 KT 130 MPH
60H 09/0600Z 25.9N 93.2W 115 KT 130 MPH
72H 09/1800Z 28.0N 92.9W 110 KT 125 MPH
96H 10/1800Z 32.4N 90.9W 55 KT 65 MPH...INLAND
120H 11/1800Z 35.5N 87.3W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/175044.shtml?cone#contents

https://www.americanwx.com/bb/topic/53821-major-hurricane-delta/

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Moderate weakening has been observed by the hurricane hunters this evening, as the storm is looking a bit more ragged than earlier, resulting in the storm being downgraded from 145 mph to 130 mph (just barely Cat 4). However, in the last hour or so, there have been indications of an eye trying to form, which is often a sign of intensification. The Yucatan could use a break, although 130 mph is still a big deal. Beyond there, no real change as the forecast is still for a Cat 3 hurricane to strike the central LA coast Friday night (120-125 mph) - the center of the track has landfall near Marsh Island, just south of Lafeyette and about 100 miles west of New Orleans and 90 miles east of Lake Charles. Still a ways to go.
 
They rotate names year to year.. but when they get to greek letters, they do not rotate anymore.. why? Why not just use the alphabet again... Alpha-Avery, Beta-Barbara.. etc.. use the greek letter as a prefix.. or go to last names.. "Alpha Anderson", "Beta Bronski".. when people say "Sandy" we know the storm and can guess the year.. but when they say "Delta".. there could be a "Delta" next year.
 
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