“Ian is expected to become a Category 4 storm in the Gulf, but wind shear could ‘weaken’ it to Cat. 1 by time it makes landfall,” senior meteorologist Jon Erdman says. "I'm afraid the public may see a weaker Ian landfall forecast and think 'no big deal.'”
Why is this a big deal? Even though it might lose wind speed strength as it nears landfall, Hurricane Ian could grow in size and slow down, which would still mean a life-threatening storm surge and prolonged rainfall and winds. Also, Ian could scrape up a long section of the western Florida Peninsula's coast, bringing storm surge, rainfall flooding and strong winds to places it doesn't even landfall.
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