NHC forecasts Tropical Storm Ian will hit Florida as Category 3 hurricane
NHC forecasts Tropical Storm Ian will hit Florida as Category 3 hurricane : Tropical Depression Nine strengthened into Tropical Storm Ian Friday night. This system is forecast to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane next week. As of 5 a.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Ian had strengthened while moving west over the Central Caribbean and was moving west at 14 mph.
Ian had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was located 315 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 600 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman.
The NHC advises hurricane conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands by early Monday.
The Florida Keys and South Florida can expect heavy rains to begin as early as Monday. Some flash and urban flooding is possible with this rainfall, according to the NHC.
"Rapid intensification is forecast Monday through Wednesday over some very warm water," WESH 2 Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi said. "GFS model continues to be slower and west of Euro with the forecast cone between these two models tonight. Intensity forecasts remain very impressive in the Category 2 - Category 4 range."
The National Weather Service has urged Florida residents and visitors to gather supplies and keep tracking the forecast.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Cayman Islands
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Jamaica
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
