Tropical Storm Ian is about to undergo explosive intensification into a major hurricane in the western Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, a danger to the Cayman Islands, western Cuba, and Florida in the coming days.
Ian currently has 50mph winds in the Caribbean, but rapid intensification is expected over the next couple of days as it moves towards Cuba and eventually the Gulf. The latest track from the National Hurricane Center has shifted a bit farther west, though the forecast track remains centered on Florida, highlighting areas from the Florida Panhandle to SW Florida.
Ian is expected to reach Cat 4 strength in the Gulf as early as Tuesday. Some dry air in it’s path will hopefully help to weaken the storm some before it makes landfall.
There will be no direct impacts from Ian in Texas, though we could see an increase in wave heights and some rough surf as Ian intensifies in the Gulf next week.
