Flight Planning
Ike takes aim at Houston
Landfall early Saturday
Forecasters this morning said that Hurricane Ike is exhibiting an atypical wind pattern, with 103-knot winds at altitude, but only 65 knots at the surface. Even so, maximum winds at landfall are projected as being of Category 3 strength, with forecast maximum winds of 115 mph. However, one forecast model forecasts landfall at Category 4 (131- to 155-mph maximum winds). Ike is expected to come ashore at approximately 4 a.m. Saturday, September 13. Landfall is forecast to occur very near the Brazoria County Airport (LBX) in Angleton, Texas. Pilots along the Texas coast should take measures immediately to prepare for the hurricane or, even better, fly their aircraft away from Ike’s path.
September 11, 2008
