LIVE UPDATES: Dorian continues path to Florida; strengthens to Category 2

Hurricane Dorian is continuing to develop and strengthen as it enters the Atlantic Ocean. Recent updates show the hurricane to reach Category 4 as it nears. Channel 9 meteorologists are tracking the storm on-air and online as it approaches Florida's east coast.

11 p.m. update: Dorian has now strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane as of 11 p.m. Thursday as it continues its path to Florida. Winds are currently reaching 105 miles per hour. Landfall is still expected for Florida late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.

5 p.m. update:

Dorian continues to move toward Florida. It is certain that this storm will reach the Florida coast as a major category hurricane some time on Monday. Where will exactly hit along the coast? That still remains the big uncertainty.

We expect this storm to rapidly intensify in the next 24 hours, reaching 115 mph, a category 3 hurricane by Friday afternoon. We still have 2 full days to complete preparations. Expect conditions to gradually deteriorate Sunday.

Next update comes at 8 p.m.

Latest watch and warnings in effect 

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Dorian's Latest Track

11 a.m. update:

Hurricane Dorian continues to move to the northwest at 13 mph. The strength has not changed; it stays at 85 mph, still a Category 1 hurricane. It is possible that Dorian will go through rapid intensification, reaching a category 4 hurricane status by Sunday with a Monday morning tentative landfall somewhere along the east coast of Florida.

Hurricane hunters did not find strengthening, perhaps because the eye wall is going through a replacement cycle. There is plenty of time for Dorian to continue to intensify as there is low shear and very warm waters. Make sure you have your preparations done by Saturday evening. Tropical storm-force winds will start then.

8 a.m. update: 

Channel 9 meteorologist Rusty McCranie said there is no updated 8 a.m. track for Hurricane Dorian because there are no current hurricane watches or warnings in effect. The next advisory will come out at 11 a.m. Stay tuned to Channel 9 and WFTV.com for updates.

5 a.m. update:

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center shows Hurricane Dorian, currently a Category 1 storm, continuing to strengthen as it tracks toward Florida eventually developing into a Category 3 storm.

Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields said while it's still too soon to know where it will make landfall, it's time to get prepared.

"The window of waiting and watching has closed. Folks need to prepare," Shields said.

Shields said Floridians can expect to feel the impacts of Dorian starting on Sunday into Monday and Tuesday.

According to the 5 a.m. track, the storm will have winds reaching 125 mph when it approaches the Florida coast.

"No one is getting wiped off the map with this. But this is going to be a very powerful hurricane moving toward to Florida. Take comfort in knowing we have time to prepare," Shields said.

HELPFUL LINKS TO HELP YOU PREPARE:

• Are you storm ready? Here's when, where you can get sandbags filled
• Stay informed during a storm: Emergency Operations Centers in Central Florida
• Orlando pet adoption service offering free microchipping in advance of Hurricane Dorian
• New to Florida? 9 helpful tips to get you through a hurricane

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Cox Media Group