ORLANDO, Fla. — Tropical Storm Ian has formed and could impact Florida by next week.

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11 p.m. Update:

Tropical Storm Ian is expected to rapidly intensify in the next few days as it passes the western tip of Cuba and then moves into the Gulf.

Winds are now up to 50 mph and western Cuba has been put under a hurricane watch.

By Wednesday and Thursday, the center of the cone has again shifted west of Central Florida, but it is still close enough that we need to prepare for possible impacts and watch for further track adjustments.

Tropical Storm #Ian Advisory 8: Ian Forecast to Begin Rapidly Intensifying and Become a Hurricane On Sunday. Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches Issued For Western Cuba. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 25, 2022

Right now, residents should be ready for heavy rain and flooding threats with a chance for tornadoes Wednesday night through Thursday night.

The wind speed will depend on how close Ian tracks to individual counties.

11pm Ian update...Far western Cuba now under a Hurricane watch. Ian expected to rapidly intensify over the next few days. Wed/Thu, cone still encompasses most of Central Florida, but this portion of track was shifted again farther west. pic.twitter.com/tZ4d7VaaYh
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) September 25, 2022

5 p.m. Update:

Tropical Storm Ian’s track has shifted to the west.

The new track pushes the center of the cone farther away from Orlando, but all of Central Florida is still in the cone.

...Another westward nudge to Ian's 5-day track forecast cone as of 5pm Saturday. pic.twitter.com/OTcXsUPzqF
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) September 24, 2022

We still have to watch for impacts caused by heavy rain and strong winds by next Thursday

A tornado risk will also develop and we will have to be prepared for more track shifts in future updates.

...one of the four main direct impacts from hurricanes is inland flooding-and it's super tricky because the heaviest rains can fall far east of the center of the system. So even if future track updates shift away, we have to stay prepared for a flooding rain threat next week. pic.twitter.com/yxftU1bcE5
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) September 24, 2022

As Ian continues to organize, it is expected to rapidly intensify into a Category 4 hurricane over the Eastern Gulf of Mexico by the middle of next week.

The next track update will be at 11 p.m.

5 pm EDT Saturday, September 24 Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Ian.https://t.co/vfwCpLHKmD pic.twitter.com/O3z7VcmrA2
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 24, 2022

11 a.m. Update:

Ian is still fighting shear with winds holding at 45mph.

The track has again been adjusted slightly westward, especially on days four and five as Ian would approach Florida.

11am Sat Ian update: Still fighting shear with winds at holding at 45mph. The track has again been adjusted slightly westward, especially in days 4 and 5 as Ian would approach Florida. Track adjustments are expected. Slightly stronger and a more prolonged period of Cat 3 strength pic.twitter.com/zfO6hcoqiU
— Rusty McCranie (@RMcCranieWFTV) September 24, 2022

Track adjustments are expected. Slightly stronger and a more prolonged period of Category 3 strength, possibly as early as near Cuba.

Based on the track from the NHC, impacts to Central Florida would be felt beginning Wednesday

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TS Ian continues to slowly gather strength as it moves through the Caribbean.

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More rapid intensification is likely over the weekend and Ian may become a hurricane by late Sunday.

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As of 8 a.m. on Saturday the forecast track has not changed overall, showing a powerful category 3 hurricane approaching southwest Florida on Wednesday.

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The next full advisory with any track change will be at 11a.m.

8am Intermediate advisory on Ian: Not much change. No change in wind speed. Movement now WSW at 15mph. The next full advisory with any track change will be at 11am. pic.twitter.com/8kALUya4L6
— Rusty McCranie (@RMcCranieWFTV) September 24, 2022

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