HURRICANE

fice of the National Weather Service, said it’s too soon to tell whether Central Florida will see a direct impact from Irma.

“It’s way too early to know what scenario is going to be realized,” he said. “We have to watch and be aware. People should always make hurricane preparations throughout the season to be ready and have a plan.”

Volkmer said forecasters will have a better idea of where the storm is heading after the five-day forecast track is released early next week, adding that Irma is “slightly stronger than your typical hurricane.”

Although the storm’s path is uncertain, state authorities are in “constant communication” with all counties and are coordinating with federal agencies, said Alberto Moscoso, communications director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

“Even when there’s not a storm, we’re always in an act of preparedness,” he said. “We’re always getting folks ready for the next storm, and we’re encouraging folks to have a plan in place.”

Irma strengthened rapidly over the past couple of days. The storm was anticipated to weaken Friday night, although the environment will be ripe for restrengthening this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Multiple models say the storm will turn west within 24 hours, then move west-southwest over the weekend and take a more northward path as it approaches Puerto Rico early next week.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but the Leeward Islands were advised to monitor the progress of the system, according to the National Hurricane Center’s most recent advisory.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May predicted 11 to 17 named tropical systems with a minimum of 38 mph winds for the 2017 season. Five to nine of those were predicted to achieve hurricane status with 74 mph winds, and two to four would be Category 3 or stronger with at least 111 mph winds.

AccuWeather’s May forecast predicted 10 named storms with five becoming hurricanes and three storms of Category 3 or higher.

Colorado State University hurricane researchers Philip J. Klotzbach and Michael M. Bell predicted 11 named storms, four hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov. 30.