Tropical storm Michael to turn into hurricane

Tropical storm Michael is expected to become a hurricane and carry strong winds and rain to Cuba, Florida and southern Georgia, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

On the forecast track, the centre of Michael will move northward across the Yucatan Channel today, Monday Oct. 8, and then across the eastern Gulf of Mexico this evening through Wednesday, according to the NHC. Michael is expected to move inland over the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday, and then move north-eastward across the south eastern US Wednesday night and Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts, the NHC said. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Michael is expected to become a hurricane later today. Michael is forecast to be near or at major hurricane strength when it reaches the north eastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night and Wednesday.

The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water has the potential to reach between 2-11 feet.

Hurricane conditions are expected across the far western part of the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio later today. Tropical storm conditions are expected across the remainder of the warning areas in Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula later today.

Hurricane conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area along the US Gulf coast by Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions possible by Tuesday night or early Wednesday.

Michael is expected to produce rainfall amounts through Wednesday night of between 1-8 inches, according to the NHC.

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