‘Wildly hot’ waters in the Gulf of Mexico could fuel Idalia’s rapid intensification
Hurricane Idalia is barreling toward Florida today, moving through the Gulf of Mexico, where experts say exceptionally warm waters could cause the storm to rapidly intensify before it makes landfall.
Early forecasts suggest that Hurricane Idalia could become a major Category 3 storm before reaching Florida.
That boost in intensity could happen quickly, fueled by “wildly hot” conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, said Jill Trepanier, an associate professor and climate scientist at Louisiana State University.
Warmer-than-usual water is a key ingredient in the formation and development of storms. In recent weeks, sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico have climbed to record levels. Coastal waters in some parts have hit 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while much of the Gulf has hovered in the high 80s, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Conditions throughout the basin have been roughly 2 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year.
“Idalia is kind of passing through the wrong spot, in a manner of speaking — the spot that would make it worse for those in Florida,” Trepanier said.
FAA rerouting planes before Idalia hits Florida
The Federal Aviation Administration is rerouting planes and closing Gulf routes today in anticipation of Idalia slamming into Florida tomorrow morning.
The agency said it might pause flights in and out of Palm Beach International Airport, Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, according to a social media post.
Parts of the Florida Keys are already feeling the force of Idalia
Idalia is whipping up storm-force wind gusts and rain west of Key West, according to satellite imagery posted online by the National Weather Service.
"#FloridaKeys residents and visitors should use caution today when driving due to windy and squally conditions," the agency said in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
The Florida Keys are a string of islands off the southern coast of Florida that make up the southernmost tip of the continental United States.
Time-lapse video shows Franklin and Idalia
A satellite time-lapse video from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed Hurricane Franklin in the Atlantic and Hurricane Idalia near Cuba yesterday.
Almost two dozen Florida counties issue evacuation orders ahead of Idalia
A total of 23 Florida counties have issued evacuation orders for their coastal cities and low-lying areas ahead of Idalia's expected landfall tomorrow morning.
Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Gulf, Hillsborough, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwanee and Taylor counties have all issued mandatory evacuations. Baker, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jefferson, Madison, Marion, Sumter, Union, Volusia, Wakulla and Sarasota counties have issued voluntary evacuations or advised residents to evacuate.
Click here to stay up to date on evacuations.
Where will Idalia make landfall?
Follow the storm's projected path on the map below. Current forecasts show the Idalia picking up strength today and early tomorrow.
'Wrap up preparations,' forecasters in Tampa Bay warn
Florida residents were warned this morning to "wrap up preparations" as Idalia looms.
The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay warned of the impacts, including storm surge, heavy rains and tropical- and hurricane-force winds, depending on the location. Several tornadoes were also possible, it said in a social media post.
Drivers were warned of potential fuel contamination at gas stations over the weekend
Florida officials warned drivers of potential fuel contamination at a number of gas stations on the Gulf Coast that could affect car operability as drivers prepared to evacuate in some areas for the arrival Idalia.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a news release Sunday that gasoline bought after 10 a.m. Saturday at a number of Citgo-supplied stations was likely to have been contaminated with diesel fuel. The contamination was caused by “human error,” it said.
Citgo found that at least 29 stations were affected, the department said in the news release, which lists the names and locations of affected stations.
"Contaminated gasoline and diesel have the potential of causing engine damage or affecting operability. Impacted stations have been asked to stop selling gas until the contaminated fuel is replaced and tanks are cleaned," the department said. It was not immediately how many people might have been affected by the issue.