The current forecast calls for the storm to strengthen to a high-end Category 2 hurricane by the time it reaches Florida, with 110 mph sustained winds. A Category 3 isn’t out of the question, as the initial forecast is on the cusp of category 3, and forecasters wrote that “some upward adjustments may be required.”

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, the storm was expected to be a Category 3 and hit Wednesday afternoon near St. Petersburg, tracking through Polk County.