The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is urging residents to report sightings of the nonvenomous rainbow snake, a semi-aquatic species in decline that feeds primarily on dwindling American eels.

Central Florida is also experiencing a colder than normal winter. The Tampa area daytime high was 56.5°F on January 15, 2025, which is 5.2°F below the five-year historical average of 61.7°F.

Additional strengthening is expected as the storm is forecast to “remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week,” the National Hurricane Center said.