Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore in Tampa Bay ahead of anticipated hurricane Ian. ‘Here we go’

Beloved yet feared Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore is in Tampa Bay ahead of Tropical Storm Ian’s possible run in with Florida later this week.

The storm is currently picking up steam south of Cuba and is expected to become a major hurricane, the National Hurricane Center predicts.

Known by viewers everywhere as the herald of hurricane havoc, Cantore is often dispatched to areas expected to see the worse effects from tropical storm events.

On Sunday, he was reporting live from Clearwater Beach, images from the Weather Channel shared to social media showed.

Tropical Storm Ian’s path has been highly uncertain so far, with the major hurricane models in disagreement about where it might make landfall. It appears Cantore and the Weather Channel may be favoring the European model, which on Sunday had Ian making landfall north of the Tampa Bay area later this week.

On Saturday, local weather blogger Mike Boylan posted a picture to Twitter inviting Cantore to town.

“If the storm comes here I got VIP parking for you @JimCantore and @iCyclone,” Boylan’s post said.

“Oh boy here we go!” Cantore replied on Sunday.

On social media, Floridians reacted with delight and dread at Cantore’s arrival. Check out some of their comments below.

“I’m getting more & more reports that Jim Cantore was seen at Tampa International Airport last night. Jim, you’re a nice guy but we’d all prefer for you to spend this week somewhere else.” — local meteorologist Greg Dee, ABC Action News

“In Florida we don’t track the storm. We track Jim Cantore. Look out Clearwater!” — Dawn. S.

“Jim Cantore is here! We are so doomed.” — Luis G.

“I now know who Jim Cantore is, and he’s been spotted on the Gulf. We can all relax now.” — Mary E., in Ormond Beach

“Jim Cantore is in Tampa. We’re in trouble. If Waffle House closes, we are goners....” —Sharon M.