Since then, however, economic data has indicated that the economy weathered the storms without lasting damage. Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of goods and services, rose at a 3 percent annual rate in the third quarter of the year, the second straight quarter of solid growth. Measures of retail sales and consumer confidence have likewise been strong, and most economists expect the next round of employment figures, due Friday, to show a solid rebound from September’s dip.

“Much of the uncertainty that had existed at the September meetings because of the hurricanes has subsided and signs are that growth has been stronger,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com.

The one sticking point remains inflation. The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation is well below the central bank’s 2 percent target; what’s more, inflation has slowed this year even as the unemployment rate has fallen, a trend that would ordinarily be expected to put upward pressure on prices. That disconnect has complicated the Fed’s plans to raise interest rates at the steady clip it has signaled, including three more times next year.

Ms. Yellen and most of her colleagues have expressed confidence that the slowdown in inflation is temporary and therefore should not force a change in plans. In a September speech, Ms. Yellen said that low unemployment is leading to pay increases, which will ultimately lead to higher prices as well; other Fed officials have made similar comments in recent weeks.

Still, at some point “temporary” effects stop looking so temporary. The Fed will get several more reports on inflation before its December meeting, and it remains possible that weak data could give policymakers pause.

Financial markets appear all but certain that the Fed plans to raise rates in December. Futures contracts on Wednesday morning suggested investors saw a 96.7 percent probability of a rate increase at the Fed’s next meeting, according to CME Group. Matthew Hornbach, global head of interest-rate strategy for Morgan Stanley, said the Fed had sent a clear signal that it was prepared to raise rates even if inflation stays low in the coming months.

But Ken Matheny, executive director of Macroeconomic Advisers by IHS Markit, was less certain that a December rise was inevitable. He said that the Fed was struggling to reconcile strong growth with weak inflation, and that policymakers would be watching coming inflation data closely in making their interest-rate decisions.