(WGNO) — Tropical Storm Idalia formed near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Sunday with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour.
The National Hurricane Center says the system is projected to strengthen into a hurricane early next week.
The latest forecast brings the storm to the Florida Gulf Coast by early Wednesday as a strong Category 2 hurricane.
Landfall will like take place somewhere between Tampa, Florida and the western Florida Panhandle. However, the forecast track and intensity are likely to change in the coming days as the storm evolves and more data is collected by Hurricane Hunters.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for nearly half of the Sunshine State. Residents in the potential path of the storm are encouraged to begin preparing now by reviewing their hurricane safety plan and gathering necessary supplies.
