Tropical Depression 11 forms in Atlantic as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed Wednesday the formation of a new tropical depression in the Atlantic, while Hurricane Ian, now near category 5 storm winds, is expected to make landfall in Florida this afternoon.

The new tropical depression is several hundred miles west of the Cape Verde Islands, still a long way from the United States, but over the past 24 hours the storm has become more powerful, NHC said.

The agency raised the chances of the system forming from 80% to 90% over the next two to five days, but forecasters believe it will be short-lived.

Tropical Depression #Eleven Advisory 1: New Tropical Depression Forms in the Central Tropical Atlantic. Expected to Be Short-Lived. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022

If it becomes a tropical storm, the system would be named Julia and would be the tenth storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.

Meteorologists remain focused on the dangerous Hurricane Ian, which is close to increasing its strength to level 5.  

On Wednesday morning, Ian reached Category 4 as it approaches the west Florida coast, where it is expected to make landfall this afternoon between Sarasota and Ft Myers, according to the NHC.

The agency's 8:00 a.m. bulletin claims the storm maintained maximum winds of 155 mph and was located 55 miles west of Naples and 60 miles southwest of Punta Gorda, which would cause catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flooding.

The eye of the hurricane is forecasted to move into central Florida between tonight and Thursday morning. It is expected to exit the east coast of Florida into the Atlantic Ocean Thursday afternoon.

Although South Florida is outside of the path cone that continues to include portions of west, central, and north Florida, Ian's effects are being felt across most of the state.