Idalia Now Category Two

…IDALIA NOW A CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE…
…LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE AND HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED
ALONG PORTIONS OF THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY…

SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT…2100 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…26.1N 84.8W
ABOUT 195 MI…310 KM SW OF TAMPA FLORIDA
ABOUT 300 MI…480 KM S OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…100 MPH…155 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…N OR 360 DEGREES AT 16 MPH…26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…972 MB…28.71 INCHES

Deep convection is firing around what appears to be a pretty well developed eyeway in Idalia now. Further intensification is likely right up til landfall.

The storm is moving north at 16 mph now, a little faster than earlier. The storm will turn gradually to the northeast and make landfall early Wednesday morning.

Top winds are 100 mph and are forecast still to reach 115 mph. They still could reach 120 or 125 mph before landfall though.

A deadly surge will affect parts of the Florida Big Bend and Nature Coast. STorm surge could reach 10-15 feet near and to the east of where the center makes landfall.

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