Author: Chief Meteorologist Bryan Karrick

A line of strong to possibly severe storms sweep down the peninsula Thursday.

A line of strong to possibly severe storms sweep down the peninsula Thursday.

A line of strong to possibly severe storms sweep down the peninsula Thursday.

Idalia is expected to make landfall near Florida’s Big Bend region.

Idalia is expected to make landfall near Florida’s Big Bend region.

It could reach Category 4 strength before landfall.

Idalia is close to becoming a Category 3 Hurricane.

Idalia is close to becoming a Category 3 Hurricane.

Maximum sustained winds are now 100 mph.

Maximum sustained winds are now 90 mph.

Maximum sustained winds are now 85 mph.

Maximum sustained winds increase to 75 mph.

As of the 2 a.m. advisory, maximum sustained winds remain at 70 mph.

As of the 2 a.m. advisory, maximum sustained winds remain at 70 mph.

As of the 2 a.m. advisory, maximum sustained winds remain at 70 mph.

After forming off the Yucatan Peninsula on Sunday, Idalia remains a tropical storm.