WATCH: Irma weakens to tropical storm while leaving Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Read regular updates on Tropical Storm Irma's track below. If you've lost power, click here to watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Click here to read other storm-related stories.

8:45 a.m. update

Irma weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm Monday morning as it left Central Florida, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

The storm is producing maximum sustained winds of 70 mph as it moves north-northwest at 18 mph, the NHC said.

Although the storm has weakened, it continues to produce wind gusts close to hurricane force.

Forecasters said Irma is centered about 30 miles north-northeast of Cedar Key and 105 miles north-northwest of Tampa.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

5 a.m. Update:

Hurricane Irma continues to move through Central Florida as a Category 1 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said early Monday.

Irma is producing maximum sustained winds of 75 mph as it moves north-northwest at 18 mph, the NHC said.

The storm is forecast to continue to weaken as its center moves along the northwestern coast of the state's peninsula.

Irma's eye is about 35 miles east-southeast of Cedar Key and 60 miles north of Tampa.

Officials said a combined 428,000 customers are without power in Orange and Seminole counties.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

4 a.m. Update:

Hurricane Irma was downgraded to a Category 1 storm as its center moved through Central Florida, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said early Monday.

Irma, which has maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, is weakening as it moves north-northwest at 15 mph, the NHC said.

Its eye is about 20 miles northwest of Lakeland and 25 miles northeast of Tampa.

Forecasters said the storm is expected to continue to weaken as it moves over the western portion of Florida's peninsula and over the southeastern United States.

Officials said widespread power outages have been reported throughout Central Florida.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

Cox Media Group