Hurricane Ida: Third Of Atlantic Season

Ida strengthened early Thursday just offshore of Nicaragua to a hurricane, becoming only the third hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Ida is the ninth named storm of the season. Early this morning, maximum sustained winds are at 75 mph, and Category One Hurricane Ida is expected to move inland over eastern Nicaragua today, weakening to a Tropical Storm while it dumps up to two feet of rain. In fact, it's not the wind that is the biggest threat from Ida, it's the heavy rain, which can produce mudslides and flash floods. The remnants of Ida are expected to pass offshore again Sunday just southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, and there is a possibility that conditions may favor redevelopment of Ida into a Tropical Storm as it continues to track toward the Gulf of Mexico. But at this time, the threat to the United States from Ida appears low.

The Tropics Awake!

After yawning through much of October in the Tropics, finally a system has organized. Unfortunately, this one could mean bad news for Central America, which is especially prone to potentially deadly mudslides and flash flooding. Tropical Depression 11 formed this morning, and may strengthen to Tropical Storm Ida by tonight. But it's usually not the winds that cause the most damage in this part of the world. It's the torrential rainfall. TD 11 is expected to track over eastern Nicaragua and Honduras. Wednesday morning's motion is to the northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds at 35mph.

As it does so, rainfall amounts should rise up to nearly two feet. Such a large amount of rain in a short time onto hilly/mountainous terrain can wash away faces of mountainsides, taking whatever is in its path. Often, that includes homes and the people residing there. In the valleys, flash flooding can occur in a matter of hours. Tropical systems of any strength in Central America can wreak havoc, even if the storm never reaches hurricane strength.

Fall Foliage Update

As many of you have noticed, Fall Colors have been in full swing in Central Virgina over the past couple of weeks. Of course, different types of trees peak at varying times, so some trees have already peaked and dropped their leaves, while others are just getting started this week.

Leaf drop will continue to accelerate over the next couple of weeks, but it appears that this Fall's colors have been right within range for average peak times.