Delta A Major Hurricane Again

Delta is back as a major hurricane, and is expected to continue to strengthen.

Winds are now at 115 mph, and Delta is around 350 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana. 

The NHC says that "A short period of rapid intensification remains possible given current trends, although the various rapid intensification indices are not 

enthusiastic about the possibilities of this."

For local impacts from Delta, see the forecast issued here. 

Although Delta is expected to weaken some prior to landfall, the increasing size of the wind field will cause dangerous storm surge to pound the coastlines. 

Several inches of rain are expected as well. 

This poses a significant flash flood threat. 

"Hurricane Delta will bring heavy rainfall to portions of the Gulf Coast and Mississippi Valley Friday into Saturday", the Weather Prediction Center said. "Across southwest into south central Louisiana 5 to 10 inches of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches, is expected. These rainfall amounts will lead to significant flash, urban, small stream flooding, along with minor to isolated moderate river flooding."

Here are a couple satellite images of Delta. 

Delta should make landfall Friday evening or Friday night in southwestern Louisiana. 

The cyclone is expected to rapidly weaken over land, and become a remnant low on Shabbos. 

Delta should dissipate Sunday. However, since the system will be elongated, it will bring rain well north of the 'center'. That is how we can get rain from Delta even though it is in Tennessee and dissipating. The remants will still affect us through Monday.

See the forecast on local impacts here.