Tropical Depression Ida is nearing the border of Nicaragua and Honduras this morning, where it’s expected to drop heavy rainfall. Residents are being warned of potential flash floods and mudslides, as maximum rainfall could reach 15 to 20 inches.

 

As of 4 a.m. Friday, Ida’s maximum sustained winds were 35 mph, with higher gusts. While additional weakening is expected today, the NHC says a turn into the warm waters of the northwestern Caribbean Sea later today or early Saturday will likely result in strengthening back to tropical storm status.

 

You’re thinking, “Wait, back to tropical storm status?” Yes, Ida did serve a quick stint as a tropical storm, and a shorter time as a hurricane. The first advisory on Ida was issued by the Hurricane Prediction Center on Wednesday morning (when it was a tropical depression), and the storm had reached tropical storm strength by that afternoon. This made Ida the ninth tropical storm of the season.

 

Ida became a hurricane early yesterday and held its Category 1 status only through the afternoon, when it dropped back to tropical storm strength. It further dropped to a tropical depression, where it stands this morning. But again, we’re watching for the chance it may strengthen back to a tropical storm.

 

Here’s the latest 3-day forecast cone from the HPC, for some perspective on location.

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

-Alexandra Wilson