Ida Part of Tropical Double Trouble for Gulf

A stormy time is in store for the Gulf thanks to troublesome tropical twins working their way towards the north. Foremost, of course, would be Ida, a strengthening tropical storm as of Saturday afternoon. Then throw in a "hybrid" low over the western Gulf to round out a promise of potentially serious weather and sea impacts through the first half of the coming week.

Both tropical weather systems will converge northward over the Gulf on Monday and Tuesday. The conflict between their low pressure and high pressure further north will whip up high winds over much of the Gulf. Open water speeds will reach 30-50 mph over a wide area on Sunday night into Tuesday.

The atmospheric instability will make for higher tides than usual over most of the Gulf Coast. Minor tidal flooding will be possible into Tuesday at times of high tide.

High waves of 8-10 feet will be raised over the open Gulf by the high winds.

These waves will, in turn, give rise to rough surf along many Gulf beaches, especially from the Florida Panhandle to the upper Texas coast.

Of interest to residents of flood-weary northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas will be the shot of heavy rain bolstered by a surge of tropical moisture that will build northward from the central Gulf coast on Sunday night and Monday. At this time, this shot of 2-4 inch rainfall is forecast to aim for eastern Louisiana through northwest Florida, a track that would spare the worst for the most seriously flooded areas.

Story By AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews