Hurricane Nate downgraded to tropical storm, continues path on land

UPDATE @ 5:10 p.m. (Oct. 8)

Tropical Storm Nate continues to move north through as tropical storm and surge warnings for Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi were canceled Sunday morning.

Natenever reached the Category 2 level forecasters expected, according to the National Weather Service, and began weakening overnight.

Social media posts from those living in parts of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi showed flooding and storm surges, but nothing near the destruction originally expected.

While the storm lost strength quickly, the National Weather Service reports Nate earned the distinction of the fastest moving Hurricane the Gulf of Mexico has ever seen.

UPDATE @ 8:15 p.m. (Oct. 7)

Hurricane Nate made landfall at the mouth of the Mississippi River as a Category 1 storm with winds of 85 mph.

The National Hurricane Center said that Nate is expected to make a second landfall along the Mississippi coast later tonight. Evacuations have been ordered along the central Gulf Coast.

UPDATE @ 6:20 p.m. (Oct. 7)

Hurricane Nate is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane at landfall tonight along the northern Gulf coast, the National Hurricane Center reported.

The storm’s top sustained winds were 90 mph as of earlier today.

Some oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are being shut down as the hurricane churns toward the U.S. mainland, the Associated Press reported. About one-fifth of U.S. oil is produced in the Gulf.

UPDATE @ 11:50 p.m. (Oct. 6)

The National Hurricane Center reported late Friday that Nate is now a hurricane with maximum winds estimated at 75 mph.

UPDATE @ 1:10 p.m. (Oct. 6) 

Tropical Storm Nate is pulling away from the Honduras coastline and moving closer to the Yucatan Peninsula, according to the Friday update from the National Hurricane Center.

>> Fall color increases across the Miami Valley

Nate will bring heavy rain, damaging winds, storm surge and life threatening flash flooding to the Yucatan Peninsula region later today.

Hurricane Nate Heading to U.S. Hurricane Nate Heading to U.S.

>> WHIO Interactive Radar

The storm will move north into the Gulf of Mexico early Saturday, then is expected to intensify to a hurricane before making landfall near New Orleans late Saturday or Sunday. Direct impacts will also be damaging winds, heavy rain, and significant storm surge.

Tropical Storm Nate turns deadly Tropical Storm Nate turns deadly

The Miami Valley is expected see the remnants of this storm late Sunday night into Monday as it tracks to the south. The greatest threats locally will be heavy rain and gusty winds.

EARLIER REPORT

A tropical depression that developed off the coast of Costa Rica has strengthened to become Tropical Storm Nate, said Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Kirstie Zontini.

The National Hurricane Center is expecting Nate to directly impact Nicaragua and Honduras today. Rain could exceed 20 inches in Nicaragua with as much as a foot possible near Honduras and eventually the Yucatan Peninsula.

Tropical storm force winds extend 60 miles out from the center of the storm. Strengthening is possible as the storm moves north through the Gulf. Heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous storm surge will be possible up to the northern Gulf Coast, but specific placement and impacts are yet to be determined.

>> WHIO Interactive Radar

A long range track does show the left over moisture/the remnants from Nate bringing an increased chance for rain to the start of next week here in the Miami Valley. This could change as well.