ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 meteorologists continue to monitor the tropics, and storm surge and hurricane watches have now been issued for parts of Florida.
Idalia is a little stronger, as the forecast track has nudged a little further east, toward Central Florida.
Previous story:
This browser does not support the video element.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Sumter County is under a hurricane watch and Lake and Polk County are under a tropical storm watch.
Meteorologist George Waldenberger said the hurricane watch extends from Sumter County to parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast, from Englewood to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.
Strom surge, hurricane watches issued for Tropical Storm Idalia (WFTV/WFTV)
Idalia continues to organize, meandering between Western Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula, forecast to move into the Gulf tomorrow and strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday morning.
All followed by a forecast landfall between the Tampa Bay area and Apalachicola by Wednesday morning forecast as a Category 2 storm.
Expect gusty squally passing storms developing for Tuesday with a risk of tornadoes, continuing into Wednesday as Idalia makes its closest pass.
Tropical advisories issued for parts of Florida ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia (WFTV/WFTV)
Watching the risk of flooding in areas of heavy rain that set up.
According to the National Hurricane Center, a storm surge watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Chokoloskee to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.
A hurricane watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Englewood to Indian Pass including Tampa Bay.
A tropical storm watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida, south of Englewood to Chokoloskee, and for the Dry Tortugas.
Hurricane season names These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Arlene These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Bret These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Cindy These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Don These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Emily These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Franklin These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Gert These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Harold These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Idalia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Jose These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Katia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Lee These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Margot These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Nigel These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Ophelia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Philippe These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Rina These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Sean These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Tammy These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Vince These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Whitney These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.