Tropical Storm Ian has formed in the Caribbean Sea and may become a serious threat to the northwestern Caribbean and southeastern United States by next week, including Florida.
Late Friday, just south of Hispaniola, Ian became the ninth named storm of the current Atlantic hurricane season.
Ian is located in the central Caribbean Sea and is moving west-northwest. Wind shear over the system has decreased, allowing it to become first Tropical Depression Nine on Friday morning and then Tropical Storm Ian on Friday night.
A hurricane watch has been issued for the Cayman Islands, which means weather conditions will deteriorate early Monday morning. Winds in the Cayman Islands may reach tropical storm force by Sunday night.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Jamaica.
If its current trajectory continues, it would affect Cuba early next week and then Florida, which it would hit as a Category 3 hurricane.
Separately, Hurricane Fiona strengthened into a post-tropical cyclone on Friday night. Forecasters warned it could bring gale-force winds, heavy rain and large waves to Atlantic Canada, and could become one of the most severe storms in Canadian history. Fiona, which weakened to a Category 2 on Friday night, was producing strong winds and very heavy rain over Nova Scotia on Friday night, according to the Canadian Hurricane Center. It is forecast to make landfall in Nova Scotia during the early hours of Saturday morning.
