In less than two days, Hurricane Ian may make landfall in Florida, before driving further north into the southeastern United States.
On Tuesday morning, Ian strengthened to a Category 3 major hurricane before making its first landfall on the western tip of Cuba around 4:30 a.m. The storm is not expected to change much as it crosses Cuba, bringing 125 mph winds and gusts up to 155 mph, but it will likely pick up power before reaching Florida. “Ian will return to open water later today when it is expected to quickly strengthen to a Category 4 storm with forecast sustained winds of 140 mph,” according to FOX8 Meteorologist Emily Byrd. By Thursday, Ian may begin to bring winds and later rain into North Carolina.
“Clouds thicken Thursday, and it will become quite breezy as the remnants of Hurricane Ian make its way northward,” Byrd said.