ETA SET TO MOVE NORTHEAST THIS WEEKEND… Hurricane Eta remains a dangerous storm that continues to cause high winds and extreme rain amounts in parts of Nicaragua and Honduras. Eta will continue to gradually weaken as it moves west over the next 2 days. The storm will likely become a remnant low over parts of Central America before turning northeast on Friday. The National Hurricane Center suggests Eta (or a storm that spins up from the remnants of Eta) will begin to move northeast on Friday and end up at a point in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Saturday.
STILL TOO EARLY TO KNOW ABOUT GULF IMPACTS… The model data today (and subsequent official forecasts devised by NHC) did not really give us any better idea as to if Gulf of Mexico impacts are likely or not. It simply is too early to say whether or not local impacts seem likely. Is it possible we could have issues in the northern Gulf in 7-8 days from Eta? Yes, it’s possible. Is it likely? Too early to know. We note some models simply fade the system out or move the storm out into the Atlantic. I know this isn’t the clear cut answer most folks want, but it’s the best we can give right now. As I indicated last night, I would suggest we will begin to have much better clarity about this starting late Friday or early Saturday.
MOTION BEYOND THE CONE… Keep in mind when looking at the attached image: The official forecast from NHC only goes out to 5 days. Motion toward our area or away from our area would be expected beyond that point in time.
I am intentionally keeping our forecast discussion short this evening as clearly most of the focus is on the news and the elections this evening (and rightfully so! It’s been a very quiet weather day across America, thankfully.)
Regardless of the outcomes of the elections, I’ll see you bright and early at 7:15AM with the latest on Eta and much more.
