Track Hurricane Ian 2am

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Ian continues to strengthen as it approaches Cuba. The storm is almost a Category 3 storm.

At 2 a.m. Ian had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, moving north-northwest at 13 mph, with gale force winds up to 35 miles from the center of the storm.

Ian is expected to become a major hurricane early Tuesday as it approaches western Cuba. The storm is expected to remain a major hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Tampa Bay residents can expect tropical storm conditions through Tuesday night. Hurricane conditions are expected on Florida’s west coast on Wednesday.

Several counties in the Tampa Bay area issued evacuation orders Monday. This includes residents living in Zone A in Hillsborough County, residents living in Zone A in Manatee County, residents living in Zones A, B, and C in Pinellas County, and residents living in Level A in Sarasota County .

A hurricane warning and a storm surge warning have been issued for Tampa Bay.

According to the NHC, if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide, the water could reach the following heights above ground in the following areas:

• Anclote River to mid-Longboat Key, FL, including Tampa Bay – 5-10 feet
• Suwannee River to Anclote River – 5-8 feet
• Midway from Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL – 5-8 feet
• Englewood, FL to Bonita Beach, FL including Charlotte Harbor – 4-7 feet
• Bonita Beach, FL to East Cape Sable, FL – 3-5 feet
• Flagler/Volusia County Line, FL to Altamaha Sound including St. Johns River – 2-4 feet
• East Cape Sable, FL to Card Sound Bridge, FL, including Florida Bay – 2-4 feet
• Aucilla River to Suwannee River – 2-4 feet
• Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas – 2-4 ft
• Indian Pass, FL to Aucilla River – 1-3 feet

In west central Florida, Ian is expected to produce 6 to 12 inches of rain with a maximum of up to 20 inches.

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