Hurricane Ian is now a Category 3 major hurricane and is forecast to continue to intensify into a Category 4 hurricane over the next 24 hours.

Some weakening is expected prior to landfall, but Ian could still be a major hurricane when moving inland near Tampa, Fla., late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Life-threatening storm surge will be possible along much of the Florida west coast, according to the National Weather Service. Hurricane force winds are possible in west central Florida by Wednesday morning. Heavy rainfall will bring the potential for flash, urban, and small stream flooding today in South Florida, spreading to central and north Florida on Wednesday.