HURRICANE DELTA: (See forecast cone here) At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Hurricane Delta was moving northwest across the Gulf of Mexico at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph Delta made a first landing along the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula near Puerto Morelos on Wednesday morning A second landing is expected in Louisiana on Friday afternoon From securing your home to the proper supplies, CLICK HERE for get additional information on hurricane preparedness For specific impacts of wind, rain, and storm surges, see below
The center of Delta has moved off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and is now located on the southern Gulf of Mexico The hurricane remains organized but hurricane chasers have found that the interaction with land had caused some weakening Further strengthening is expected on Thursday as Delta moves northwest in a favorable upper level environment and over the relatively deep warm waters of the southern and central Gulf of MexicoDelta could return to Category 3 status by Friday morning At that time, an upper level trough will begin to turn Hurricane North into colder water and cause increasing shear with a decrease in intensity expected before Delta reaches land Friday afternoon However, as the wind shear causes the hurricane’s wind field to weaken, it is expected to expand, which will increase storm surges and wind threats. Regardless of how hard Delta’s landing, a life-threatening storm surge and high winds are likely over much of southern Louisiana.The storm is expected to move quickly through the area and weaken rapidly, rain and wind easing considerably on Saturday morning
HURRICANE WATCHES A hurricane watch has been issued for coastal areas from High Island, TX to Grand Isle, LA and inland for parts of the WBRZ weather forecast area including Point Coupee, Iberville, Assumption and StParoisses de Marie This means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours Prepare your home, check your supplies kit and review plans in case an evacuation is issued for your area – this mainly applies to coastal residents Listen carefully to instructions from local authorities
TROPICAL STORM WATCHES are active for all WBRZ viewing areas east of the Mississippi River including east and west of Feliciana, east and west of Baton Rouge , St James, Ascension, Livingston, St Parishes and Counties of Helena, Tangipahoa, Wilkinson, Amite and Pike This means tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours Stay up to date with the latest forecast and listen carefully to instructions from local authorities
FLASH FLOOD WATCHES have been posted until Saturday afternoon for Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St Helena, St Paroisses de James, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana as well as Amite and Wilkinson counties Showers from Hurricane Delta could bring 3 to 7 inches of rain with higher isolated amounts resulting in poor street areas and drainage flooding Remember to never cross a road flooded
Tonight and Tomorrow: Heavy cloud cover overnight will maintain nocturnal troughs between the low to mid-70s Thursday will feel tropical and look stormy With highs near 80 degrees expect to cloudy cover and a few showers The wind should be rather docile until Thursday evening
Next: If the current runway holds and a central Louisiana landing occurs, the worst weather conditions in the Baton Rouge metro area will be Friday afternoon and evening The impacts would include:
– Heavy rain expected with 3 to 7 inches with higher amounts closer to the Atchafalaya Basin and lower amounts closer to I-55 Street flooding and poor drainage are possible, but river flooding is unlikely
– Sustained winds in excess of 39 mph are increasingly likely along and west of the Mississippi River, much stronger gusts are also possible Tree damage and power outages are possible
The system is expected to move northeasterly on Saturday evening with clearing conditions for the second half of the weekend A cold front is even expected to wind up by next week Click here to see the full forecast over 7 days
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World News – UNITED STATES – LATEST: Hurricane Delta targets southwest Louisiana, Friday afternoon
