What a 24 hours it's been for now Hurricane Delta...actually 30 hours to be exact. That's how long, or actually how short of a time it took to go from Tropical Depression 35 mph wind to a raging Category 4 hurricane with wind approaching Category 5 status near landfall Wednesday morning.
It marks the first time on record in the Atlantic Basin, let alone in October, for a system to intensify that much that quickly. Just incredible to witness but sadly it's heading toward a popular vacation destination not only for Hoosiers but many Americans.
Latest guidance, and the official forecast from the National Hurricane Center, put the eye of a likely Category 4 (possibly 5) Delta over Cancun around 7-8 AM EDT Wednesday. While there's definitely going to be impacts, it's to be determined how severe they are... and it all depends on where the eye tracks.
Farther west-southwest of Cancun would be worst case and place that region into the most destructive northeast quadrant of the storm. If it stays farther east...the bulk of the higher wind on that side would stay offshore. But again, that area is still going to have impacts from a powerful hurricane.
It enters the Gulf of Mexico as a high end hurricane with hopes that increased wind shear/cooler water will aid in weakening Delta when it approaches the central Gulf Coast Friday into Saturday. But it's highly uncertain how much weakening occurs.
Latest guidance suggest remnants from Delta could cross the Ohio River for some welcomed rainfall... though many may not want it occurring during the weekend. We'll keep the odds low for right now, but check back for potential updates.
