ORLANDO, Fla. – We are pinpointing the very latest on Idalia.
Idalia as of 5 a.m. Wednesday had strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane as it rode along the west coast of Florida. It will likely make landfall anywhere from Tampa Bay to the Big Bend of Florida later in the morning Wednesday.
Central Florida began to see impacts Tuesday.
There is a hurricane warning in effect for Sumter county, meaning hurricane conditions are likely in the next 24 hours.
A tropical storm warning is now in effect for the following locations: Coastal Volusia, inland northern Brevard, inland southern Brevard, inland Volusia, mainland northern Brevard, mainland southern Brevard, northern Brevard barrier islands, northern Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, southern Brevard barrier islands, and southern Lake counties.
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On the current track
We could expect to experience tropical storm-force wind gusts in Polk, Sumter and Lake counties into Wednesday.
Most all of Central Florida could experience tropical storm-force wind gusts by 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Hurricane force-wind gusts could be felt on the current track in Marion County by Wednesday at 6 a.m.
But note that all of this is dependent on the exact track of the storm.
If the storm lands closer the eastern side of the cone, impacts in Central Florida would be even greater. If the storm lands more to the west side of the cone, our impacts would be less.
By Wednesday, rainfall totals could reach 4 inches in Sumter and Lake counties.
Even parts of far western Orange County could see 2-4 inches of rain before Wednesday is over.
Most of Central Florida could see between 1-3 inches of rain for areas of Orange, Seminole, Volusia, northern Lake, eastern Marion, Flagler, Osceola and Brevard.
Rain chances will be up to 70% for Monday afternoon and evening as tropical moisture begins to build in well ahead of the tropical storm.
Expect a high temperature of 94 degrees Monday in Orlando.
Rain chances are up to 90% for Tuesday and Wednesday before climbing to 80% on Thursday.
Highs will be in the upper 80s and low 90s For Tuesday through Thursday as Idalia moves through.
Hurricane season runs through November.