Hurricane Ida Makes Two Landfalls As A Category 4 Storm And Our Weather Remains Hot

High pressure will continue over the region through Monday, giving us mostly sunny skies and hot temperatures once again. A cold front will combine with the remnants of Ida to increase precipitation chances across the area during mid-week. While the center of Ida is forecast to move across Middle TN and into Kentucky, some heavy rainfall, severe weather and isolated tornadoes are still possible Tuesday night into Wednesday across portions of the mountains of Western NC. The Piedmont will also see rain and some thunderstorms as this front moves across the area on Wednesday. The exact track of the remnants of Ida will determine the potential of severe weather in the high country.

Dry weather returns late in the week with cooler temperatures and less humidity. Temperatures will remain above normal through Monday, then drop to around or slightly below normal from Wednesday through the end of the week.

Hurricane Ida
Hurricane Ida remains a dangerous hurricane but has dropped to a Category 3 storm as it continues to move across southeast Louisiana. With sustained 125 mph winds around the center, the storm is moving NNW at 10 mph.The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the eye of Ida made an initial landfall along the southeastern coast of Louisiana near Port Fourchon around 12:55 PM EDT with estimated maximum sustained winds at 150 mph. As of 3:00 PM ET, the NHC states that the eye of Ida made a second landfall along the southeastern coast of Louisiana just southwest of Galliano with maximum sustained winds estimated at 145 mph, still a category 4 storm.

When it comes to wind speed, only 4 storms were stronger than Ida at landfall in the continental U.S.
Labor Day in FL- 1935 ( CAT 5 at 185 mph)
Camille in MS – 1975 (Cat 5 at 175 mph)
Andrew in FL – 1992 (Cat 5 at 165 mph)
Michael in FL – 2018 (Cat 5 at 160 mph)
Ida in LA – 2021 (Cat 4 at 150 mph)

With 150 mph winds, Ida is tied with several other Category 4 storms. They include Laura (2020 in LA), Charley ( 2004 in FL), Freeport (1932 in TX), FL Keys (1919 in FL), Indianola (1886 in TX) and Last Island (1856 in LA). In the Carolinas, many remember Hurricane Hugo which made landfall with 120 mph winds north of Charleston, SC and brought wind gusts to an unbelievable 100 mph in Charlotte!

Our Forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy and warm. Low: 70. Wind: SW 6 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, Heat index values near 100-105. High: 97. Wind SW 5-10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy and muggy. Low: 72. Wind: SW 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny and hot. High: 93. Wind: SW 5-10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy and muggy with a chance of showers developing late. Low: 74. Wind: S 5-10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with showers and isolated thunderstorms likely. High: 88.