TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Idalia has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as of 5am and is picking up forward speed in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Idalia is about 135 miles west-southwest of the Dry Tortugas, and is moving north at 14 mph. Its highest sustained wind speeds are 80 mph with higher gusts.
Hurricane warnings and storm surge warnings are in effect for parts of the Big Bend. Get details about them here.
The forecast track depicts Idalia traveling northward in the eastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday morning. It is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane by Wednesday morning before making landfall on the northeastern Gulf coast.
Forecast trends this morning— and throughout the tracking of this system since last Tuesday — have been consistent of a path over the northeastern Gulf, with landfall possibilities along the eastern Big Bend. Idalia will be tracked by radar Tuesday afternoon as it parallels the Florida Suncoast, within range of the Tampa Bay radar.
Regardless of eventual track, tropical storm and hurricane conditions are possible late Tuesday and Wednesday for the ABC 27 viewing area. There will also be the general risk of heavy rain that can cause flooding, gusty winds, and isolated tornadoes east of the center.
Marine conditions will deteriorate Tuesday with rip currents, dangerous surf, and higher coastal water levels induced by onshore winds and storm surge.
Changes in track and intensity may still occur as hurricane hunters gather more data on the storm. Now is the time to finish preparations, before the arrival of tropical storm force winds in parts of the region tonight. Keep updated with ABC 27 First To Know Weather over the next few days as we fine-tune the forecast of Hurricane Idalia.
