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

Hurricane Ian strengthens as tracks shifts east

The FOX 35 Storm Team is monitoring the latest developments with Hurricane Ian, expected to become a major hurricane before making landfall midweek near Tampa Bay.

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:

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.