August 31st, 2023
Bermuda Weather Service
We are expecting to issue a Tropical Storm Watch with the 6pm advisory today. Idalia remains challenging as it soon loses tropical characteristics for about 48 hours as it weakens. This means that significant thunderstorms are gone, though winds and showers remain. After 48 hours, NHC expects Idalia to become tropical once again as it makes its final approach to Bermuda.
We may see tropical storm force winds start in the marine area as early as around midday Saturday 2nd and they may persist into the evening of Sunday 3rd. due to the wide wind field of Idalia. The last several advisories have been taking Idalia over Bermuda at a top wind strength of 40-45 knots.
Models continue to show unusual amounts of rain associated with Idalia and we could get 3-6 inches throughout the duration of the event. We can expect the strongest wind gusts to be associated with showers and any thunderstorms – similar to what we experienced with Franklin last evening through the night once the rain band settled over the area.