ORLANDO, Fla. — The latest forecasts for Tropical Storm Dorian have the storm impacting Puerto Rico Wednesday and then strengthening possibly to a Category 2 storm as it nears Florida Sunday and Monday.
NEW UPDATES CAN BE FOUND HERE: TS Dorian's rainbands reach Puerto Rico; could intensity as it moves toward Florida
8 a.m. update Wednesday:
Tropical Storm Dorian continues to track toward Puerto Rico at 13 mph with 60 mph winds, according to the 8 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.
The new track continues to show the storm strengthening to a Category 2 storm as it nears Florida on Monday.
5 a.m. update Wednesday:
The 5 a.m. update shows Tropical Storm Dorian has winds of 60 mph, moving northwest at 13 mph toward Puerto Rico.
Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields said the latest tracks give the storm two options: a direct hit to Florida, or curving up to the north toward the Carolinas.
The latest track shows the storm strengthening to a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds as it nears the Florida peninsula on Sunday and into Monday.
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11 p.m. update:
Tropical Storm Dorian hasn't strengthened Tuesday evening, but could intensify as it approaches Puerto Rico Wednesday.
After passing Puerto Rico, and bringing with it a flooding threat, the brush with land may temporarily weaken the storm.
The overall storm track has shifted slightly to the north, and as Dorian emerges over the Atlantic waters, it is forecast to intensify again, this time to a hurricane by the end of the week.
By Sunday, most of the Florida Peninsula is within the cone of uncertainty along with the possibility of a hurricane.
Severe Weather Center 9 is still watching large uncertainties in location and strength of Dorian by Sunday, but your hurricane preparedness plan should be ready. Channel 9 will know more Thursday more of where this storm will track, and how strong it could be.
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