Hurricane Ian may be ‘storm of a lifetime’ for many Florida residents, NHC director says

The NWS National Hurricane Center warned all of Florida to brace for Ian as the hurricane appeared to strengthen Monday afternoon.

Initial hurricane watches have turned to warnings and extend from the west coast of Florida to the east.

Life-threatening storm surges could reach the Florida coast, from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay area. Forecasts still see Tampa facing the brunt of Ian’s strength.

“This would be the storm of a lifetime for many Tampa Bay residents,” Jamie Rhome, NHC acting director, told CNN.

Tropical storm conditions in Florida may start as early as Tuesday night. Hurricane-force winds will reach the Sunshine State starting Wednesday morning.

Ian should reach peak intensity in the next 36 hours as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico.

What does rapid intensification mean? What to know as Hurricane Ian targets the US

While Hurricane Hunters measured flight-level winds of 79 knots Monday afternoon, “the inner core appears better organized and the eyewall structure has greatly improved in radar imagery from the Cayman Islands,” reported the NWS National Hurricane Center.

The imagery compelled meteorologists to raise the hurricane’s intensity to 100 mph.

The NHC also predicted Ian would become a major hurricane before it reaches western Cuba early Tuesday.

“Atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain very favorable for additional intensification during the next 24 hours or so, as Ian moves over the very warm waters of the northwestern Caribbean Sea and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.”