NY NJ PA Weather Forecasts

Hurricane Ike Strengthens Over The Gulf Of Mexico

Hurricane Ike is now firmly in the Gulf of Mexico and showing signs of strengthening.  Convection continues to rapidly grow around the center of circulation and the central dense overcast is growing larger and more impressive over the last several hours.  The upper level environment is extremely favorable as a ridge over the Gulf Coast continues to build over Hurricane Ike.  As a result, I expect Hurricane Ike to continue to strengthen through the day.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Hurricane Ike is a strong category 2 or category 3 hurricane by late tonight.  I also expect the eye to reform this afternoon as the eye wall reestablishes itself. 

The ridge that will support Hurricane Ike to strength will also guide the hurricane towards the Texas coast through the end of the week with a landfall over southern Texas by late Friday night or early Saturday morning.  However, with the landfall of Hurricane Ike still more than 3 days away, I still think there is a threat of landfall and impact from Ike for locations from Houston to Brownsville, Texas.  

Once Hurricane Ike makes landfall, I expect the hurricane to weaken and produce very heavy rain over southern and central Texas before being picked up by a trough digging into the East.  The trough will eventually send the remnants of Ike towards the Mid Atlantic by the middle of next week.