Tropical Storm Ian is forecast to rapidly strengthen as it moves through the Caribbean Sea towards Cuba, the National Hurricane Center warned Saturday.
"Ian is moving into a lower shear environment over very warm waters, and it should not take long for the system to shed its tilted structure and develop an inner core. Once that occurs, significant to rapid intensification is expected while Ian crosses the northwestern Caribbean Sea," said a NHC forecaster.
The storm is expected to reach hurricane strength by Sunday and could be at or near major hurricane strength approaching the western edge of Cuba on Monday.
"Limited land interaction is expected as the cyclone quickly passes over western Cuba, and Ian is forecast to be a major hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday as it approaches the west coast of Florida," the NHC added.
A hurricane watch remains in effect for the Cayman Islands along with a tropical storm watch for Jamaica.
There is no immediate threat to Louisiana from Ian.