Tropical Storm Ian threatens Florida's west coast; forecast to become hurricane by Sunday

Tropical Storm Ian is expected to strengthen rapidly this weekend and approach Florida at or near major hurricane strength early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Ian has picked up a little speed since this morning and is now moving toward the west near 13 mph and this general motion is expected to continue through tonight. Ian is forecast to approach the west coast of Florida at or near major hurricane strength early next week.

There is a risk of dangerous storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of next week according to the National Hurricane Center.

Flash and urban flooding is possible with rainfall across the Florida Keys and Florida peninsula through mid next week. Additional flooding on rivers across northern Florida and parts of the Southeast cannot be ruled out.

Ian is moving over very warm waters and it should not take long for the system to develop an inner core. Once that happens, rapid intensification is expected while Ian crosses the northwestern Caribbean Sea.

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Make sure you have a hurricane plan in place and follow any advice given by local officials.

Gov. DeSantis declared a preemptive state of emergency on Friday for 24 Florida counties. The governor expanded the order Saturday to include all counties.

Cone of uncertainty: See the latest graphic from the NHC

Satellite images: See latest satellite image from NOAA, for a clearer picture of the storm's size