Historic hurricane hits the Florida Panhandle
Yesterday was an abnormally hot day for October, reminiscent of our hot summer, especially after a few weeks of chilly fall weather. It looks like the heat is not here to stay, however, as this afternoon will bring in heavy rain, pushed by a cold front from the west. Areas of the Northeast have the potential for flash flood warnings as the heavy storm comes in. Some of the precipitation is due to Hurricane Michael finally coming northeast from Florida and Georgia.
Hurricane Michael was the second major Atlantic hurricane to hit the United States this season. Unlike most recent Atlantic hurricanes, Michael traveled north from the Yucatan Peninsula, hitting Cuba and the Florida Panhandle on the way. It was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane, one of the strongest rankings for storms, before it made landfall in Florida, and it fell to Category 3 as it hit Alabama and Georgia. The storm had destructive consequences, with consistent lightning striking in the eyewall, heavy rain causing serious flooding, and winds reaching an immense 155 mph. Because of its unusual path and strength, Hurricane Michael is going to be remembered as a historically intense storm.
Extended forecast:
Today: Heavy rain. High around 71 °F (22 °C). East winds at 15–20 mph.
Tonight: Heavy rain. Low around 59 °F (15 °C). Southwest winds at 7–12 mph.
Tomorrow: Partly sunny. High around 62 °F (16 °C) and low around 47 °F (8 °C). Northwest at around 15–20 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High around 56 °F (13 °C) and low around 44 °F (6 °C).
Sunday: Sunny. High around 58 °F (14 °C).