Let’s compare size. #Idalia (2023) took a similar route to what #Helene is taking. But notice the smaller extent of Tropical Storm force winds from Idalia (image 2). Helene is already larger, with the wind field favoring the east side of circulation. Further reaching stronger winds (and rain) expected compared to Idalia, which was overall, a smaller major hurricane. #wx

The National Hurricane Center has released their report on #Hurricane #Idalia. Third strongest landfalling tropical cyclone on record for the Big Bend region. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL102023_Idalia.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3-5KpP3EQiu3KrJuGooknyy6RR1XSDVTLrFYfH0BamPnD9hLyval_2hHw_aem_AWw8KjtejWai621-gXoTB0tyYFL8JqEz7dI3kw_DXgpDGiifWoa5X5SoQi2cFCEJ0LE

#Hurricane Season ends today for the North Atlantic. Despite an El Niño developing we finish off with 20 named storms, making this the 4th most active season on record (tied with 1933).

Strongest landfall: Hurricane #Idalia (Cat 3).
Strongest storm: Hurricane #Lee (Cat 5).
184 days until the start of the 2024 Hurricane Season.

#Idalia’s high clouds delivered an amazing sunset in the D.C. area https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/08/31/idalia-sunset-dc-maryland-virginia/

thx to @Ed_Carley and @dcskycam for great contributions | #dcwx #mdwx #vawx #sunset

#Idalia has finished transition into an extratropical cyclone (post tropical). It is now mostly a large wind storm. However, it is expected to reverse transition and obtain tropical characteristics again, reclaiming its tropical storm status. Tropical Storm Watch up for #Bermuda.

#Idalia holding onto Tropical Storm strength. Max wind speeds near 65mph. Heavy rain and gusty winds spreading across the Carolinas. Idalia will continue northeastward into the Atlantic tonight. Coastal areas along the Southeast could see between 1 and 5 feet of storm surge. #wx

As #Idalia hit Florida, all of NOAA’s hurricane-hunting planes were grounded https://wapo.st/44vy6Ab #flwx #tropicalwx

Notice the tropical storm wind force area growing in size from the 8am to the 11am advisory. We generally see an increase in size when cyclones impact and move northward. Stay cautious throughout the day as winds can break large branches and cause power outages. #wx #Idalia

With #Idalia to the northwest this is good news for places like #SaintAugustine. Windy conditions and rain will be present today but storm surge remains minimal/non existent on the Atlantic side due to winds coming from the SW, dragging the water offshore instead of onshore. #wx

#Idalia continues to move inland. Max wind speeds near 110mph - strong Cat 2. Note though that the tropical storm wind field is large and will likely expand as the storm moves northeastward. Areas far from the center will still experience strong winds at times. #wx #flwx

We've got live updates rolling again today for #Idalia. Gusts at or above 40 mph at NWS affiliated sites shown.

Gift link: https://wapo.st/3RicODp #flwx #tropicalwx

Observation site at Keaton Beach (landfall per NHC) had sustained 61 mph and gust to 77 mph before the eyewall.

Next hourly observation, temperature up, winds to zero and pressure bottomed out. If real it got the eye nicely. #flwx #Idalia

It’s official. From the National Hurricane Center:

7:45 AM EDT update: Extremely dangerous Category 3 Hurricane #Idalia makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend. Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be 125 mph. Catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds ongoing.

Winds approaching from the SW just to the south of the center of #Idalia. Gulf water will be pushed right into shore. Places like #Steinhatchee and #HorseshoeBeach should be experiencing very high storm surge this hour. #wx

You only see this type of warning when a major #hurricane is making landfall. If you are under this warning treat it like a Tornado Warning and put as many walls between you and the storm as possible. #Idalia

#Idalia is coming ashore near Fish Creek and Piney Point as a Cat 4 #hurricane. #flwx #wx

#Idalia strengthens into a Cat 4 #hurricane just before landfall in the Big Bend. #wx #flwx

With #Idalia being so close to land we will be receiving hourly updates from the #Hurricane Center every hour. Hurricane Hunters continuing to fly through the storm. Expected to become a major hurricane (Cat 3) overnight. #wx #flwx

NHC now expecting that #Idalia could be a Cat 4 by landfall. Even if it remains a Cat 3 damage will still be heavy across the Big Bend. #wx #flwx