NOTE: Here is a wide variety of additional information about powerful Hurricane Ike. We have subtitled it so you can scroll down to the part that interests you most.
This powerful hurricane is going to make the Gulf of Mexico as mad as hornets. Already Ike is stirring up big waves over a wide area.
COUPLE OF SHIP AND BUOY REPORTS
Ship located 114 nautical miles NE of Ike…wind east SE, sustained at 68 mph, water temperature 80
Mid-Gulf Buoy…wind NE, sustained 35 mph, 13-foot waves, water temperature 85
12-FOOT SEAS
On the last discussion from the National Hurricane Center, 12-foot seas extended out from the center of Ike to 240 miles NE, 180 miles SE, 90 miles SW and 240 to the NW. This is one of those days when John Oldshue would not want to be out in the middle of the Gulf riding his Ski-doo.
WIND FORECAST NEAR LANDFALL
This is not a part of the main official advisory, but in a discussion the National Hurricane Center estimated that Ike, as he approached landfall, would have sustained winds of 125 mph and gusts to 150. This is very tentative this far ahead.
PROJECTED RAIN TOTALS ALONG HIS PATH
This is not the official NHC rain amounts mentioned in advisories, because they don’t go out that far. Instead, this is from our daily QPF Chart posted by the Hydrometeorlogical Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Maryland. They do this daily for the entire USA. It is a computerized rain estimate–not the final word, but useful guidance. These amounts are the projected amounts for the 5-day period ending next Monday:
10.50 inches at Tulsa and at Joplin, Missouri
8.80 extreme North Texas near the Oklahoma border
8.70 East/Central Texas
16.30 near landfall on the Central Texas coast
5.00 St. Louis
If this holds true, major flash flooding will result.
EXCERPTS FROM OFFICIAL LOCAL FORECASTS
These notes are part of the official local forecast from these communities. The circulation around Ike is going to be huge and outer rain bands (or spiral bands) will circulate on shore across much of the Gulf Coast.
NW FLORIDA: DESTIN / PANAMA CITY AREA
* High Surf Advisory until Saturday afternoon.
* Coastal Flood Watch this evening through Thursday evening.
70% chance of showers and storms tonight and Thursday. Winds will frequently be over 20 mph. A decrease in showers by Saturday.
ALABAMA COAST: ORANGE BEACH / GULF SHORES / BAYOU LA BATRE
* Coastal Flood Watch in effect all the way through Friday afternoon.
Showers and thunderstorms increasing tonight and becoming numerous Thursday. Wind gusts along the coast to around 40 mph tonight, Thursday and also on Friday.
MISSISSIPPI COAST: BILOXI / GULFPORT / PASCAGOULA
* Coastal Flood Watch late tonight through Friday afternoon.
Not much in the way of storms until increasing on Thursday and Friday. Strong SE winds by Friday.
NEW ORLEANS:
* Coastal Flood Watch from late tonight through Friday afternoon.
Becoming windy after midnight tonight. Showers and thunderstorms becoming more numerous Thursday and into Friday. Wind gusts around 35 by Friday.
HOUSTON:
Not much going on until late Friday. Tropical storm conditions possible Friday night with showers and thunderstorms becoming numerous. Tropical storm conditions condinuing Saturday with locally heavy rain from numerous showers and storms. Still a good chance of showers and thunderstorms through Sunday.
GALVESTON:
NE winds up to 35 mph by Thursday night. For Friday, tropical storm conditions possible as showers and storms become more numerous. Friday night and Saturday hurricane conditions possible with heavy rain and numerous storms. Tropical storm conditions possible Saturday night, but a good chance of showers and storms continuing through Sunday.
CORPUS CHRISTI:
Typical September weather through Thursday night. By Friday, tropical storm conditions are possible with numerous showers and thunderstorms producing locally heavy rain, especially in the afternoon. Wind gusts may get as high as 70 mph by Friday afternoon. Friday night hurricane conditions may continue with very heavy rain and numerous storms. Tropical storm conditions will probably continue on Saturday and Saturday night after the center moves inland.
BROWNSVILLE:
Tropical storm conditions possible by Friday and continuing through Saturday. During that time, numerous showers and thunderstorms and locally heavy rain.
INLAND: COLLEGE STATION
Numerous thunderstorms by Friday night and tropical storm conditions possible Saturday and Saturday night. Very heavy rain. A good chance of showers and storms on Sunday, but much quieter weather by next Monday.
DALLAS/FT. WORTH:
The center of Ike may pass east of Dallas. That part is not certain yet. Their official forecast is benign until Saturday and Sunday when showers and thunderstorms will produce locally heavy rain. Much quieter weather Sunday night and Monday.
OKLAHOMA CITY:
Showers and thunderstorms increasing by Thursday and Thursday night, but they will also have a good chance tonight because of other reasons. The most numerous showers and storms will be Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday with some very heavy rain possible.
