11:15pm update: A buoy reading showed a 74MPH sustained wind...meaning Ida is again a hurricane. Hurricane Hunter aircraft is flying a mission now. There is some support in the models that Ida may be stronger than expected. 

Nov 7, 2009 10pm: As of the 10pm NHC update, Ida is a 70MPH tropical storm heading NNW at 12MPH.  Ida's future is complex as the Gulf environment is quite a conglomeration of weather.  Ida is being steered between a trough over Mexico and a mid-level ridge over the southeastern US.  Most of the models bring Ida to the Florida panhandle but as an extratropical cyclone and then push it to the southeast as it gets absorbed by a massive cold front. Strong winds and rain should hit the gulf coast Monday nite thru Wednesday. People along the Gulf Coast should exercise caution in flood prone areas and monitor local official information.

For more fun, I'll be in New Orleans as Ida tracks by. it should be wet and windy....