On September 22, while moving west-northwestward, it showed signs of increasing organization, though strong wind shear of 30–35 mph (45–55 km/h) generated by the upper-level outflow from Hurricane Fiona was inhibiting development of a tropical depression.[158] Even so, a well-defined circulation was able to form within the disturbance that day; its convection then increased and become persistent over night into the next day, resulting in it being designated Tropical Depression Nine early on September 23.[159] The organization of the depression improved slowly over the course of that day, and it became Tropical Storm Ian at 03:00 UTC on September 24.[160] The high wind shear from Fiona was gone completely by the next day,[5] as the storm entered the central Caribbean where it encountered wind, water and atmosphere conditions favorable for intensification: light wind shear, warm 86°F (30°C) sea surface temperatures and a mid-level relative humidity of 70%.[161] In this environment, Ian quickly become better organized and strengthened into an Category 1 hurricane at 09:00 UTC on September 26.[162] Twelve hours later, it intensified into a Category 2 hurricane as it approached the western tip of Cuba.[163] At 08:30 UTC on September 27, Ian made landfall near La Coloma, in Pinar del Río Province, Cuba, as a high-end Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h).[164] After about six hours over land, Ian emerged off the north coast of Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico, still a major hurricane – though a slightly weaker one.[165]