Hurricane Ian strengthens as tracks shifts east: Here is when the storm's expected to reach Florida
LAKE MARY, Fla. - Hurricane Ian strengthened into a Category 3 storm on Tuesday. Much of Florida, including the Panhandle, Central Florida, and the greater Orlando metropolitan area, remains in the cone of uncertainty. As of late Monday, the forecast track had shifted to the east slightly.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Ian is expected to rapidly strengthen and become a major Category 4 hurricane as it enters the Gulf of Mexico.
Where is Hurricane Ian now?
Current location: About 130 miles southeast of Cuba
Maximum sustained winds: 125 mph
Current movement: Moving northwest at 13 mph
Pressure: 965 mb
Where is Hurricane Ian headed?
Ian was moving toward the north-northwest on Monday afternoon. A turn toward the north with a slightly slower forward speed is expected on Tuesday before the track begins to shift toward the north-northeast on Wednesday.
MORE HEADLINES:
- Hurricane Ian: Timeline for storm's impact in Central Florida counties
- Hurricane Ian updates: Track, cone of uncertainty, spaghetti models, satellite radar
- Hurricane Ian: Central Florida County Emergency Information and Resources
The center of Ian is expected to move near or over western Cuba Monday night and early Tuesday morning. Ian will then emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday, pass west of the Florida Keys late Tuesday, and approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday into Thursday, the NHC said.
"The track takes it farther east, in what would be a worst-case scenario for Tampa Bay with storm surge if it does indeed take the center track. Curiously, there is still considerable uncertainty as to the final track, with cone of uncertainty remaining from Big Bend to Fort Myers," said FOX 35 Meteorologist Brooks Garner.
Hurricane Ian: Current watches and warnings
Hurricane Warning
- Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio, and Artemisa
- Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
- Dry Tortugas
Hurricane Watch
- Levy, Sumter counties
- North of Anclote River to the Suwannee River
- Bonita Beach to Englewood
Tropical Storm Warning
- Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole counties
- Cuban provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque, and Matanzas
- Lower Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge westward to Key West
- Flamingo to Englewood
Tropical Storm Watch
- Brevard, Flagler, Marion, Volusia counties
- Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5 Bridge
- Lake Okeechobee
- North of the Suwannee River to Indian Pass
- Jupiter Inlet to Altamaha Sound
Storm Surge Warning
- Anclote River southward to Flamingo
- Tampa Bay
Storm Surge Watch
- Florida Keys from the Card Sound Bridge westward to Key West
- Dry Tortugas
- Florida Bay
- Aucilla River to Anclote River
- Altamaha Sound to Flagler/Volusia County Line
- Saint Johns River
Will it impact Florida?
Ian's impacts on Central Florida will begin unfolding by Tuesday afternoon with outer rain bands, gusty winds, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes. Wednesday, Central Florida weather will deteriorate rapidly, and by Thursday heavy rain and flooding will be a concern. Flooding could make local roads impassable as the area could see between 4 and 24 inches of rain. Expect power outages across the region.
The FOX 35 Storm Team says to be ready for strong winds, heavy tropical rainfall, and isolated tornadoes in some of Ian's stronger rain bands.
Power outages are also possible and could last for days on end in some areas.
The FOX 35 Storm Team will continue to keep you informed as new developments happen with Hurricane Ian.