Rapidly Intensifying Hurricane Ian

 Hurricane Ian became a category 4 hurricane overnight and hurricane hunters have found the pressure has gone down (937mb) and the winds have come up once more (155 mph) bringing Ian to a high end category 4 hurricane. Keep in mind that 157 mph winds would make this a category 5 hurricane. 

Tropical Tidbits

Here is the latest forecast cone from the NHC showing Hurricane Ian close to its arrival in Florida. The time to evacuate if told to do so is running out as conditions will rapidly deteriorate as the hours pass by. It is moving north northeast at 9 miles per hour.

Extremely dangerous to catastrophic storm surge is possible, some models are estimating storm surge could potentially reach 12 to 16 feet in and near Charlotte Harbor.

In addition, heavy rainfall will lead to flooding in many locations. Up to 20 inches of rain may fall Northeast of Orlando within the pink highlighted area.

Major Hurricane Ian

 Hurricane Ian intensified into a Major Category Hurricane overnight. Ian is now a Cat 3 with 125 sustained mph winds moving north at 25 mph. It is currently exiting Cuba after it made landfall. 

Here is the forecast cone of uncertainty which shows the potential for a landfall in or close to the Tampa Bay or Charlotte Harbor area. It is expected to have sustained winds of 120 to 125 mph winds.

Heavy rainfall and devastating storm surge is possible in and around the Tampa Bay Area where 5 to 10 feet of storm surge is possible, and 4 to 7 possible in Charlotte Harbor. 

Rainfall: 10-15" in red and even 20 inches of rain is possible within the pink highlighted areas on the rainfall forecast chart.

Get out of the path of this storm. If you have been told to evacuate and you haven't done so, do it now. The storm surge and flooding from heavy rain could be catastrophic. Stay tuned to your local government officals!

Tropical Storm Ian Threatens West Coast Florida/Florida Panhandle

 Tropical Storm Ian has some potential to become a Major Hurricane on Tuesday impacting western Cuba before making a possible landfall in Florida. Due to inconsistencies within the current forecast models, the exact track and intensity upon arrival is uncertain. Locations in and near the cone of uncertainty should prepare for a hurricane and stay tuned to your local government officials for any potential future evacuations should there be any.

Tropical Tidbits