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Monday 5PM Idalia Update – Another Shift Towards West

As the Tampa Bay region prepares for Tropical Storm Idalia, we have a 5pm update of the storms intensity/movements. At 5 p.m. Monday, Tropical Storm Idalia was located about 35…

The effects of Hurricane Delta on the coastline of Grand Cayman as the Cat 4 hurricane passes to the south. Tampa Bay Area Tropical Storm Idalia School Closures
Andrew McArthur/Getty Images

As the Tampa Bay region prepares for Tropical Storm Idalia, we have a 5pm update of the storms intensity/movements.

At 5 p.m. Monday, Tropical Storm Idalia was located about 35 miles south-southwest of the western tip of Cuba. Forecasters report that life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are likely for portions of Florida. The Tampa Bay area can expect to see 4-7 ft of storm surge. The good news is it looks like the storms path took another shift west, getting further from Tampa Bay.

Here are the latest observations on what will become Hurricane Idalia sometime today from Denis Phillips from ABC Action News as well as other Tampa weather experts.

Nearing Hurricane Strength

On the verge of becoming a hurricane... As of the 5pm update, Tropical Storm Idalia was moving at 8 MPH with winds sustaining 70 MPH.

Moving West

The good news for the Tampa Bay area is that the forecast has shifted the track of the storm to the west.

Watch The Tides

Expected Timeline

Monday:

Spend the day gathering supplies and prepping your home and family. Learn your evacuation zone and plan. News Channel 8 reports Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to continue its current track north through Monday evening bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Cuba.

Tuesday:

By early Tuesday, the center of Idalia is forecast to pass over the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a category 2 hurricane. The Tampa Bay area is expected to see a lot of rain Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. Tampa weather expert Denis Phillips is expecting to see a significant amount of storm surge Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Wednesday:

The evening projection models show that Idalia is forecast to be a “dangerous major hurricane” when it reaches the Gulf coast of Florida. With the latest shift to the west, Tampa Bay is likely to experience some of the outer bands of the storm.

Jen was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. She’s been with Beasley Media Group since 2022. In her spare time, you can find her at Tampa Bay Lightning games, Tampa Bay breweries, or the beach. Catch up on Jen’s content about the highest-rated restaurants/bars in Tampa, things-to-do around the area, and upcoming concerts.