The National Hurricane Center upgraded Ian to a hurricane overnight, expect it to be a major Category 3 storm by tomorrow, and Osceola County will begin to feel the effects of heavy rains by Wednesday morning.
Those were part of the 5 a.m. NHC update. Our area remains in the cone of uncertainty for impacts like flooding and tropical storm (or hurricane) force winds from late Wednesday into early Friday. Models show for a SLOW movement in the Gulf from Wednesday to a Friday morning landfall in the Steinhatchee/Cedar Key area.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect south of Englewood. THOSE WILL BE UDPATED TO INCLUDE MORE AREAS.
"It should again be stressed that there is still significant uncertainty in the track of Ian, especially in the 3-5 day time frame, and users should not focus on the details of the track forecast at longer time ranges," the NHC said in its 5 a.m. storm discussions.
(If it means anything to you, The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore is currently in Clearwater Beach.)
Current wind probabilities for the Orlando area from NHC through Friday: 63% chance of tropical storm force winds (40-60 mph), 26% of 60+ mph, 11% of hurricane force.
Here's the message for Osceola County: CONTINUE TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE. Have provisions in case of widespread and multiple-day power outages. On the current track -- if it does not edge farther east -- covering or boarding windows SHOULD NOT be needed in Osceola County -- but that could change. More details will come today.
For details shared by Osceola County, refer to Sunday's update: https://www.aroundosceola.com/news/5-pm-sunday-update-ian-still-tropical-storm-expected-reach-category-4-gulf-osceola-county
