ABOVE: WESH 2 Meteorologist Eric Burris takes deep dive into the latest Ian models
Tropical Storm Ian was forecast to rapidly strengthen into a hurricane Sunday as it continues a path through the Gulf of Mexico and towards Florida.
As of the 8 a.m. advisory, Tropical Storm Ian was 320 miles south-southeast of Grand Cayman and 590 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba. Ian is moving west-northwest at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.
See the latest maps, models and paths here
“We are expecting more rapid intensification over the next few days day with Ian forecast to become a Category 4 hurricane as early as Tuesday then weaken Thursday as wind shear is currently forecast to increase with a cold front on Thursday,” WESH 2 Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi said. “Hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Cuba a full 60 hours ahead of arrival time and likely due to the Category 4 concerns. With that in mind, we could see watches issued for west coast of Florida Sunday night or Monday morning.”
A turn toward the northwest at a similar forward speed is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Monday and north on Tuesday.
The center of Ian is forecast to pass well southwest of Jamaica Sunday, and pass near or west of the Cayman Islands early Monday. Ian will then move near or over western Cuba Monday night and early Tuesday and emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday.
WESH 2 Meteorologist Eric Burris stressed that the models still do not agree on specific landfall location and impacts to Florida and the NHC notes that there is a higher than usual degree of uncertainty with this forecast.
“Regardless of Ian’s exact track and intensity, there is a risk of dangerous storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of the week, and residents in Florida should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and closely monitor updates to the forecast,” the NHC said.
Latest standard forecast
WESH 2 Hurricane Survival Guide 2022
Surviving the season: Everything you need to know this hurricane season in Florida
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
* Grand Cayman
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio, and Artemisa
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Little Cayman and Cayman Brac
* Cuban provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque, and Matanzas
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.
The National Weather Service has urged Florida residents and visitors to gather supplies and keep tracking the forecast.
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KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED
- Stay tuned to WESH 2 News, WESH.COM, or NOAA Weather Radio for storm updates.
- Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
- Understand hurricane forecast models and cones.
- Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood.
- Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first-aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.
The WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team recommends you have these items ready before the storm strikes.
- Bottled water: One gallon of water per person per day
- Canned food and soup, such as beans and chili
- Can opener for the cans without the easy-open lids
- Assemble a first-aid kit
- Two weeks’ worth of prescription medications
- Baby/children’s needs, such as formula and diapers
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery-operated weather radio
WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED
- Listen to the advice of local officials. If you are advised to evacuate, leave.
- Complete preparation activities
- If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
- Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
HOW YOUR SMARTPHONE CAN HELP DURING A HURRICANE
A smartphone can be your best friend in a hurricane — with the right websites and apps, you can turn it into a powerful tool for guiding you through a storm’s approach, arrival and aftermath.
Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS | Android
Enable emergency alerts — if you have an iPhone, select settings, then go into notifications. From there, look for government alerts and enable emergency alerts.
If you have an Android phone, from the home page of the app, scroll to the right along the bottom and click on “settings.” On the settings menu, click on “severe weather alerts.” From the menu, select from most severe, moderate-severe, or all alerts.
PET AND ANIMAL SAFETY
Your pet should be a part of your family plan. If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe space for them, could result in injury or death.
- Contact hotels and motels outside of your immediate area to see if they take pets.
- Ask friends, relatives and others outside of the affected area whether they could shelter your animal.
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