LIVE 2PM Idalia track: Tropical storm on verge of hurricane strength

Katlyn Brieskorn
·2 min read
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to bring “life-threatening storm surge” to much of Florida’s northwest coast as it intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.

According to a 2 p.m. update, T.S. Idalia was moving north around 8 mph about 80 miles south of the western tip of Cuba. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph with higher gusts.

Monday

Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to continue its current track north through Monday evening bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Cuba. Currently, Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles out from the center.

LIST: Evacuation zones announced ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia

Forecasters say conditions remain favorable for T.S. Idalia to strengthen into a category 1 hurricane by Monday evening.

Tuesday

By early Tuesday, the center of Idalia is forecast to pass over the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a category 2 hurricane.

Wednesday

The National Hurricane Center said Idalia is forecast to be a “dangerous major hurricane” when it reaches the Gulf coast of Florida by early Wednesday.

“The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” the NHC said.

Portions of the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle, southeast Georgia, and the eastern Carolinas could see between 4 to 8 inches from Tuesday into Thursday. Isolated higher totals of 12 inches are possible near landfall in northern Florida.

On Monday, the National Weather Service issued a Hurricane Warning for portions of the west coast of Florida including Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Hernando counties.

TIMELINE: Tracking Idalia’s impacts in Tampa Bay

Officials said the water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:

  • Aucilla River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL…7-11 ft

  • Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL…6-9 ft

  • Ochlockonee River, FL to Aucilla River, FL…4-7 ft

  • Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL…4-7 ft

  • Tampa Bay…4-7 ft

  • Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL…3-5 ft

  • Englewood, FL to Chokoloskee, FL…2-4 ft

  • Charlotte Harbor…2-4 ft

  • Indian Pass, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL…2-4 ft

  • Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to Altamaha Sound, GA…2-4 ft

  • Chokoloskee, FL to East Cape Sable, FL…1-3 ft

  • Flagler/Volusia County Line, FL to Mouth of the St. Mary’s

  • River…1-3 ft

  • Florida Keys…1-2 ft

Once the storm moves out of Florida, it could bring scattered flash and urban flooding to southern Georgia and heavy rain in parts of the Carolinas.

WFLA.com will have interactive streaming coverage on Tracking the Tropics starting at 10 a.m.

Be prepared with the WFLA Hurricane-Ready Guide 2023 and stay ahead of tropical development with the Tracking the Tropics newsletter.

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