Tropical Storm Ian tracks westward, but Floridians still urged to prepare | Florida News | Orlando

Tropical Storm Ian’s projected track has moved westward from initial predictions. While the National Hurricane Center forecast earlier this week that the storm would cut across Central Florida as a major hurricane, that track has since shifted toward the west coast and Panhandle of Florida.

Forecasters expect the storm to impact Western Cuba in the coming days as a major hurricane and quickly regain strength in the warm Gulf waters west of Florida. They are urging all Floridians to prepare for a major hurricane, as the track of the storm is uniquely uncertain.

“Uncertainty in the long-term track and intensity forecast is higher than usual,” the NHC said in their Sunday morning bulletin. “There is a risk of dangerous storm surge, hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle.”