FORECAST: All Eyes on Ian, Outermost Rain Bands Already in SWFL
Despite showers and storms already surging up from Ian, Tuesday will be an okay day to wrap up preparations. Keep the umbrellas close; rain could be heavy at times, especially later in the day.
Ian is strengthening and will soon become a Major hurricane (Cat. 3+) to our south. While the center of Hurricane Ian is expected to stay off our shoreline, the storm is so large that we will feel impacts. We should plan for tropical storm force winds (39-73 mph) starting late Tuesday night continuing through Wednesday into Thursday.
Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for all of Southwest Florida. Hurricane Watches are also in effect for Lee and Charlotte counties. Hurricane Warnings are in effect for Sarasota county northward.
Along with tropical storm force winds, flooding rainfall will be a concern and Flood Watches are in effect. Five to 10 inches of rainfall will be possible with isolated higher amounts especially along the coast.
Storm Surge Warnings are in effect along the coast for the possibility of 5 to 8 feet of surge from Bonita Beach to Englewood.
https://www.fox4now.com/weather/your-forecast-from-the-wftx-weather-team