U.S. NHC says Ian now a Category 3 hurricane

A street sign blows in the wind as Hurricane Ian makes landfall in southwestern Florida, in Tampa, Florida, U.S., September 28, 2022. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Ian is a Category 3 hurricane and further weakening is expected in the next few days the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory on Wednesday.

Ian is located about 95 miles (150 km) south-southwest of Orlando, Florida, packing maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour (185 km/h) the Miami-based weather forecaster said.

"Ian could be near hurricane strength when it moves over the Florida East coast tomorrow, and when it approaches the northeastern Florida, Georgia and South Carolina coasts on Friday," the NHC added.

(Reporting by Rahul Paswan in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)