#17,641
Idalia, now a strong tropical storm, continues to move slowly north and will clip the western tip of Cuba today as it continues to edge its way towards the Florida peninsula. Models continue to show a slight shift to the east, putting more of the west coast of Florida in its forecast cone.
As I mentioned yesterday, the intensity forecast has also increased, with the NHC expecting the storm to become a major (CAT 3) storm prior to landfall on Wednesday.
Floridians (including myself), should be making final preparations for the arrival of the storm on Tues/Weds. I'll have to make a decision - probably tomorrow morning - on whether to evacuate to a safer location.
A shift of even a few miles east or west of the projected track could make a huge difference in the impacts to the west coast (including Tampa Bay).
Regardless of its exact path, Idalia expected to be a major hurricane with an expanding wind field as it lumbers north, and widespread power outages, coastal (and inland) flooding, and wind damage can be expected across a wide swath of the state.
If you live in (or even near) the path of this storm, you should be checking your local (county) EOC (Emergency Operations Center) often for local evacuation information and guidance, and be preparing for Ian's arrival.
This morning's key messages from the NHC are:
