Track Hurricane Ian's path as it takes aim at Florida's west coast
A hurricane that formed early Monday morning in the central Caribbean Sea can potentially take aim at South Florida as early as Wednesday.
Hurricane Ian is set to take aim at Florida's west coast as early as Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Ian strengthened into a major Category 3 storm early Tuesday as it made landfall in western Cuba with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, the hurricane center said. The storm is expected to remain a major hurricane when it reaches Florida's west coast, it said.
A hurricane warning was in place for parts of the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay, as of early Tuesday. Meanwhile, a hurricane watch was in effect from north of the Anclote River to the Suwannee River.
A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within an identified area, while a hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within a given area, according to the hurricane center.
Ian is expected to be located a few hours over western Cuba after making landfall just southwest of the town of La Coloma in the Pinar del Río province, it said. There is expected to be little overall change in the hurricane's strength during that time, it said.
Rating: 5