(Miami, FL) -- A hurricane watch is now posted for Florida's Panhandle and Big Bend regions. The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Michael is located about midway between Cozumel, Mexico and the western tip of Cuba, moving slowly to the north with top winds now up to 70 miles an hour.
Michael is expected to move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico this evening and is forecast to be near or at major hurricane strength when it reaches the northeastern Gulf tomorrow night and Wednesday.
Michael is expected to move inland over the Panhandle or Big Bend area on Wednesday.