An Update On Ike

Several of you have asked for an update on Ike so I'll end the work week with a forecast. Ike had some difficulty yesterday. The center of circulation in the upper levels was off from the eye which means the storm wasn't cylindrical. This made Ike wobble some and he wasn't able to reach category 3 status and remained as a category 2 all day. Here is the latest track from the NHC:Ike is running out of time if he is going to grow to a category 3. However, Ike has made his presence known all along the Gulf of Mexico. The wind field from this storm has been massive which has caused large waves along the coastal areas. The storm is as large as the state of Texas and has a larger wind field than Katrina did.

In our viewing area, we will experience windy condition over the next 2 days as well as the chance for tornadoes. Rain bands will continue to spread over the state through Sunday so the wet stuff will hang around. Once Ike gets caught up in the jet stream and teams with a cold front, the remnants will move over north Mississippi early next week.

Be weather vigilant over the next few days as Ike comes ashore and moves more inland. The National Weather Service may begin issuing tornado warnings for various parts of the state through the weekend.