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Ida strengthens into hurricane, takes aim at Gulf Coast this weekend

ATLANTA — Ida has strengthened into a hurricane Friday afternoon and could be a major hurricane when it makes landfall along the Gulf Coast this weekend.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said Ida’s winds are up to 75 mph and currently south of Cuba.

The storm will be moving into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which will cause it intensify.

We’re tracking Hurricane Ida and all the latest developments throughout the day on Channel 2 Action News

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio and Artemisa, and the Isle of Youth.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued from Cameron, Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans.

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Georgia could see heavy rainfall and strong storms from Ida.

[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar]