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- Currently in Miami — August 30, 2023: Little threat from Idalia for South Florida
Currently in Miami — August 30, 2023: Little threat from Idalia for South Florida
Idalia will strike Florida's Big Bend as major hurricane Wednesday morning
Eric Holthaus & John Morales
August 29, 2023
Surprisingly dry in SE Florida but feeder bands are possible
The weather, currently.
As Hurricane Idalia continued to strengthen over the warm waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday on its way to the northern Gulf coast of Florida for a landfall as a major hurricane on Wednesday morning—another devastating hit for the west coast after Hurricanes Ian and Michael in recent years. For Miami and Ft Lauderdale, however, this more northern trajectory means that tropical storm conditions are no longer expected this week. In fact, expected rainfall totals are only between 1 to 2 inches barring some locally heavy rainfall if another feeder band makes its way east, and wind gusts are not likely to exceed 35 mph. In the absence of any widespread rain bands, the heat may still be a concern on Wednesday, with heat indices potentially reaching above 105 degrees.
El tiempo, actualmente.
El huracán Idalia continuó intensificándose sobre las aguas cálidas del este del Golfo de México el martes, en camino la costa del norte de Florida para su impacto como un gran huracán el miércoles por la mañana—otro golpe devastador para la costa oeste después de los Huracanes Ian y Michael en los últimos años. Pero para Miami y Ft Lauderdale esta trayectoria más al norte significa que ya no se esperan condiciones de tormenta tropical esta semana. De hecho, los totales de lluvia esperados son solo de 1 a 2 pulgadas, salvo algunos aguaceros localmente fuertes si una banda de lluvia se dirige hacia el este, y no es probable que las ráfagas de viento excedan las 35 mph. En ausencia de bandas de lluvia generalizadas, el calor puede seguir siendo una preocupación el miércoles, con índices de calor potencialmente superando los 105 grados.
What you need to know, currently.
Hurricane Idalia will make landfall Wednesday morning in Florida’s Big Bend region — becoming the first major hurricane to hit that region since records begin in 1851.
Idalia will bring "catastrophic", "unprecedented" storm surge to Florida, according to the National Weather Service. Maximum storm surge will be 10-15 feet in the Big Bend region between Tallahassee and the Tampa Bay area — with powerful waves on top that will be strong enough to scour away houses and buildings from immediate coastal regions. This region is exceptionally flat, both offshore and onshore, and Idalia could push the level of the ocean as much as 10 miles inland.
On Tuesday, the Florida Highway Patrol went door-to-door in areas of the Big Bend that are under mandatory evacuation, offering free rides inland. President Biden has already pre-approved a federal disaster declaration in anticipation of a long recovery process.
Map of all Category 4-5 continental US #hurricane landfalls on record (since 1851). #Idalia is forecast to be just below Category 4 intensity as it approaches the northwest Florida coast tomorrow morning.
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach)
5:32 PM • Aug 29, 2023
This link will provide a full radar loop of Hurricane Idalia’s approach and landfall in Florida.
What you can do, currently.
One of my favorite organizations, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, serves as a hub of mutual aid efforts focused on climate action in emergencies — like Hurricane Idalia. Find mutual aid network near you and join, or donate to support networks in Florida:
