Water Temperatures and Hurricanes

Tropical storms and hurricanes absolutely thrive on very warm sea surface temperatures. It is a vital part of their life.

When the ocean temperatures reach about 85 or 87, to a hurricane it is like a kid in a toy store. (of course other factors also have to be favorable)

So, SST (Sea Surface Temperatures) will play a part in the life of Tropical Storm Ida. The water temperature over the South Gulf is fairly warm. But as you go north, the water is a lot cooler. Buoy reports at noon today (temperatures shown are water temperatures)

82 degrees 300 miles south of Panama City, 8-foot waves
78 degrees 130 miles ESE of of Pensacola
75 south of Dauphin Island
77 south of Fort Morgan (67 miles out)
67 in Pensacola Bay
70 U.S. Coast Guard Station, Mobile
66 Alabama State Docks
71 off Panama City
68 Grand Isle, Louisiana
70 22 miles SSE of Biloxi
81 Middle Gulf

Easy to see that North Gulf waters will not be too friendly, even if Ida heads that way.

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