Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for the Grand Cayman Islands, and Watches were posted for coastal areas along Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, from Punta Allen north to San Felipe, and for the Cuban province of Pinar Del Rio.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Ida- now packing winds of 45-mph, may gain strength as it emerges over warmer tropical waters this weekend.

Movement to the north at 8-mph would bring the storm into the Gulf as early as Monday, home to about a quarter of U.S. oil production, and within 200-miles of the Florida Panhandle by Wednesday of next week.

A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions are expected in 24 hours or less.