Idalia is expected to change into a hurricane
Article first published: Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, 5 a.m. ET
Article last updated: Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, 8 a.m. ET
According to the National Hurricane Center’s 8 am Monday advisory, Tropical Storm Idalia is 90 miles south of the Western Tip of Cuba, with maximum sustained wind of 65 mph. It’s moving 8 mph to the north. Idalia is forecast to change into a hurricane.
YESTERDAY (Sunday):
Yesterday, the system strengthened enough to get a name: Tropical Storm Idalia. It found new strength and had evolved from a tropical depression into a tropical storm with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. Idalia shifted course away from Mexico and targeted Caribbean Sea.
Forecasters alert: a hurricane warning in effect for the Cuban Province Of Pinar Del Rio.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
- Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including Cozumel
- Isle of Youth Cuba
- Dry Tortugas Florida
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:
- Chokoloskee to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- Englewood to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- South of Englewood to Chokoloskee Florida
- Lower Florida Keys west of the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 12-24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area.
Interests along the southeastern U.S. coast should monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required later this morning.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
Aucilla River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL...7-11 ft Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL...6-9 ft Ochlockonee River, FL to Aucilla River, FL...4-7 ft Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL...4-7 ft Tampa Bay...4-7 ft Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL...3-5 ft Englewood, FL to Chokoloskee, FL...2-4 ft Charlotte Harbor...2-4 ft Indian Pass, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL...2-4 ft Chokoloskee, FL to East Cape Sable, FL...1-3 ft Florida Keys...1-2 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.
Storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels along the southern coast of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large waves.
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area in western Cuba later today. Winds are expected to first reach tropical storm strength by this morning, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of the tropical storm warning area over the Yucatan Peninsula and the Isle of Youth in Cuba through today
Hurricane conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area by late Tuesday or Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions possible by Tuesday.
Tropical storm conditions are possible in the Dry Tortugas beginning late today and within the tropical storm watch area along the Florida Gulf coast on Tuesday.
RAINFALL: Idalia is expected to produce the following rainfall amounts:
Portions of the eastern Yucatan: Additional 1 to 2 inches.
Western Cuba: 4 to 7 inches, with isolated higher totals of 10 inches.
Portions of the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle, southeast Georgia and the eastern Carolinas: 4 to 8 inches from Tuesday into Thursday. Isolated higher totals of 12 inches possible, primarily near landfall in northern Florida.
This rainfall may lead to flash and urban flooding, and landslides across western Cuba.
Areas of flash and urban flooding, some of which may be locally significant, are expected across portions of the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle, and southern Georgia Tuesday into Wednesday, spreading into portions of the eastern Carolinas Wednesday into Thursday.
SURF: Swells generated by Idalia are affecting portions of the southern coast of Cuba and eastern Yucatan. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Source: National Hurricane Center
This article was generated by the Miami Herald Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. We are experimenting with this and other new ways of providing more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com. Full hurricane coverage at miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/
