The WDSU weather team is closely watching several areas in the tropics, but the main area of interest for us is Tropical Storm Ian. The models have slowly been trending west, so we’re watching this storm closely, and it’s a good idea for you to check back in, too. As of now, though, we are not in the cone, and being this far on the west side of the storm will provide us with nice weather! Let’s get into the details of where Ian might be going. Tropical Storm Ian is expected to start rapidly strengthening later today. Right now, Ian is about 345 miles south-southeast of Grand Cayman and 625 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba. It has winds of 50 mph and is moving WNW at 12 mph. Ian will likely strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane tonight. On its way to do so, it will pass Jamaica to the west. Ian will then likely become a Category 2 hurricane by tomorrow morning and maintain that status Monday as it crosses west of the Cayman Islands. From there, it will continue to strengthen and could be a category 3 major hurricane by Monday night. It will then make landfall in western Cuba Tuesday morning and continue strengthening into a Category 4. It will continue strengthening as a Category 4 and could have max sustained winds of 140 mph while in the Gulf. Luckily, it is then expected to weaken as it takes aim at the Gulf Coast due to an increase in wind shear. However, despite the weakening, Ian will be slowing down and its wind field will likely be widening, so significant wind and storm surge impacts are still possible. It looks like Ian is still taking aim at Florida — the latest models point from Panama City Beach to Perry, FL. The official forecast cone from the National Hurricane Center encompasses Gulf Shores, AL, to Fort Myers, FL. Remember, the center of the hurricane is forecast to make landfall anywhere within the cone, so the entire coast within the cone needs to be prepped for a possible landslide in their area. There have been slow trends to the west over the past two days. At this point, it’s still a good idea to keep checking in on the latest data and discussion here at wdsu.com and on our regular newscast throughout the day. Besides that system, we’re watching two other named storms and an area of possible development. Hermine is now a post-tropical cyclone. It will continue to dump heavy rain on portions of the Canary Islands. Tropical Storm Gaston has been underestimated regarding weakening. Gaston has been rejuvenated with deep convection. Tropical storm conditions could continue over the Azores for a few more hours, but the storm is moving away from the islands. A tropical wave west of the Cabo Verde Islands in the Central Tropical Atlantic still has a low chance of development over the next five days. Stay with WDSU for the latest.
The WDSU weather team is closely watching several areas in the tropics, but the main area of interest for us is Tropical Storm Ian.
The models have slowly been trending west, so we’re watching this storm closely, and it’s a good idea for you to check back in, too.
As of now, though, we are not in the cone, and being this far on the west side of the storm will provide us with nice weather! Let’s get into the details of where Ian might be going.
Tropical Storm Ian is expected to start rapidly strengthening later today. Right now, Ian is about 345 miles south-southeast of Grand Cayman and 625 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba. It has winds of 50 mph and is moving WNW at 12 mph.
Ian will likely strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane tonight. On its way to do so, it will pass Jamaica to the west.
Ian will then likely become a Category 2 hurricane by tomorrow morning and maintain that status Monday as it crosses west of the Cayman Islands.
From there, it will continue to strengthen and could be a category 3 major hurricane by Monday night. It will then make landfall in western Cuba Tuesday morning and continue strengthening into a Category 4.
It will continue strengthening as a Category 4 and could have maximum sustained winds of 140 mph while in the Gulf.
Luckily, it is then expected to weaken as it takes aim at the Gulf Coast due to an increase in wind shear. However, despite the weakening, Ian will be slowing down and its wind field will likely be widening, so significant wind and storm surge impacts are still possible.
It looks like Ian is still taking aim at Florida — the latest models point from Panama City Beach to Perry, FL.
The official forecast cone from the National Hurricane Center encompasses Gulf Shores, AL, to Fort Myers, FL.
Remember, the center of the hurricane is forecast to make landfall anywhere within the cone, so the entire coast within the cone needs to be prepared for a possible landfall in their area.
There have been slow trends to the west over the past two days. At this point, it’s still a good idea to keep checking in on the latest data and discussion here at wdsu.com and on our regular newscast throughout the day.
Besides that system, we’re watching two other named storms and an area of possible development.
Hermine is now a post-tropical cyclone. It will continue to dump heavy rain on portions of the Canary Islands.
Tropical Storm Gaston has been underestimated regarding weakening. Gaston has been rejuvenated with deep convection. Tropical storm conditions could continue over the Azores for a few more hours, but the storm is moving away from the islands.
A tropical wave west of the Cabo Verde Islands in the Central Tropical Atlantic still has a low chance of development over the next five days.
Stay with WDSU for the latest.
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