Tropical Depression 10 strengthened along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on Sunday morning and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Idalia.
The storm is forecast to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week, potentially as a hurricane.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Idalia was located about 95 miles east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. The storm is moving northeast at a speed of three miles per hour.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is likely to meander near the Yucatan Channel through Sunday night.
A faster motion toward the north is expected on Monday, bringing the system over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Idalia is expected strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday, the NHC said.
As of 5 p.m., a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including Cozumel, and Pinar del Rio, Cuba.
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Chokoloskee to Indian Pass, Florida, including Tampa Bay.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Englewood to Indian Pass, Florida, including Tampa Bay.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Isle of Youth, Cuba, south of Englewood to Chokoloskee, Florida, and the Dry Tortugas.
In preparation for the impact of Idalia, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for over 30 Florida counties on Saturday.
South Florida’s tri-county area of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties were not included on the governor’s list.
For the latest from Local 10 Hurricane Specialist Michael Lowry, click here.