Ian Strengthening, Threatens Florida, & Could Become Major Hurricane

Photo: NOAA

(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida is under a state of emergency as the Sunshine State braces for Tropical Storm Ian. Maximum sustained winds to 60 mph with higher gusts.

Forecasters say it could strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane by the time it approaches the Florida Gulf Coast mid-week. It's not entirely clear yet where the storm will make landfall.

Florida's panhandle and Northwest parts of the state will most likely experience the greatest impact from Ian but all of 67 Florida counties are still under a state of emergency.

Maximum sustained winds to 60 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast tonight, followed by more rapid strengthening on Monday and Tuesday. Ian is forecast to become a hurricane on Monday and a major hurricane on Tuesday.

On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to pass near or west of the Cayman Islands on Monday, and near or over western Cuba Monday night and early Tuesday. Ian will then emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...Grand Cayman & Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio, and Artemisa

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...Cuban provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque, and Matanzas

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...* Little Cayman and Cayman Brac

* Lower Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge southward to Key West, including the Dry Tortugas


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