Zeta becomes Category 1 hurricane, makes first landfall near Cancun

Zeta strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane Monday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Zeta is the 11th hurricane for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

Zeta is forecast to first make landfall near Cancun on Monday night, then move into the central Gulf coast on Wednesday.

Hurricane Zeta has maximum sustained winds at around 80 mph, according to the NHC.

Central Florida will stay well clear of the system.

Original Report:

Tropical Storm Zeta has grown into a strong tropical storm Monday morning.

Channel 9 meteorologist Rusty McCranie said the storm is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane later Monday as it moves northwest over the Yucatán.

READ: Tropical Storm Zeta strengthens, expected to hit northern US Gulf Coast by midweek: Live updates

McCranie said Zeta is forecast to then move toward Louisiana and Mississippi late on Wednesday as a Category 1 storm.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for forecast updates.