ATL: IDALIA - Post-Tropical - Discussion

[Sciencerocks]

[Sanibel]

I was wondering when it would re-fire...

[tallywx]

One theory as to Idalia’s weakening is shape of coastline of Apalachee Bay causing prolific entrainment of land air well before landfall. Dry air entrainment at that location may be function of specific geography (convex Apalachee Bay surrounded by land on 3 sides incl. Apalachicola Peninsula) allowing for more land-sourced air being ingested in final hours. Unique detrimental geography compared to rest of coast. Draw a line from Apalachicola to Cedar Key and anything north of it is proverbially “inland” as continental air becomes ingested from land surrounding storm by > 180 degrees despite center still being over water.

It may not be a coincidence that the min 940mb pressure was recorded just before Idalia crossed abeam of that line.

[Teban54]

Preliminary estimates of Idalia's damage as reported by the Guardian:

Initial estimates at the cost of the damage varied from $9bn to about $20bn

If true, this is above the damage of Sally ($7.3 billion), the costliest Atlantic storm to not have its name retired.

[Airboy]

Firing off pretty good right now

[cycloneye]

[Sciencerocks]

[cycloneye]

 https://twitter.com/Sausius_wx/status/1698022487735292305

[Sciencerocks]

[WalterWhite]

This is basically it for Idalia. The NHC will no longer be issuing advisories for Idalia. The only real question at this point is whether or not Idalia was 115 kt or 110 kt at its peak.

[johngaltfla]

 https://twitter.com/CraigSetzer/status/1698135848460460394

[tolakram]

Still spinning

[cycloneye]

Preliminary storm surge report for Florida. The Idalia TCR will have the final data.

 https://twitter.com/NHC_Surge/status/1703812776433508852




 https://twitter.com/NHC_Surge/status/1703812777834361006

[TallyTracker]

I drove through the Idalia damage area along I-10 for the first time this past weekend. The tree damage peaked at about 50% down west of Exit 258 near Madison, FL. Based on the damage I saw post-Michael (Cat 3 as it crossed I-10), I would say sustained winds in that area were likely 90-100 mph with higher gusts as the eye passed. I have not yet been to the Perry or Keaton Beach areas, but based on the distance from the coast I would say a landfall intensity of ~120 mph makes sense. I do think Idalia peaked at 130 mph briefly before weakening into the coast as the EWRC took effect.