Hurricane Larry is forecast to reach category-3 major hurricane intensity BEFORE reaching 84-85F water surface in the western North Atlantic basin. The concern is a larger and more intense storm may resist (initially) a north to northeast turn leaving the U.S. East Coast at risk of a nearby major hurricane.

In southeastern Louisiana, hurricane force wind was observed to the MS/LA state line and across most of southeast Louisiana including New Orleans to near Baton Rouge.

Ida’s lowest pressure tumbled to 930 MB at 8AM EDT. Top wind is now 150 mph. An elevated platform at Southwest Pass, LA measured a wind speed at 105 mph with gusts to 121 mph at 8AM EDT. Ida continues to intensify.

Warm waters off the coast of Louisiana support the possibility of Ida becoming a category-4 major hurricane.