Hurricane Milton To Strengthen Into Major Hurricane

Hurricane Milton is located 250 miles WNW of Progreso, Mexico where it is currently undergoing rapid intensification. According to the recent 7 p.m. CDT update from the National Hurricane Center, Milton is expected to strengthen to major status in the next 24 hours before it reaches the western Florida coast. A major hurricane indicates a Category 3 or higher storm, with sustained wind speeds over 111 mph. Satellite imagery indicates that there is deep convection occurring around the center of the storm, with a possible eye forming. According to current model guidance, Milton may reach Category 4 or 5 status in the Gulf of Mexico before encountering increased wind shear along the Florida coast, which could lead to some weakening.

Milton is expected to move east-northwestward and arrive at Florida by Wednesday afternoon. Although the exact location of landfall is still uncertain, Milton is expected to bring life-threatening conditions to the Florida coast, including storm surge, flash flooding, and hurricane-force winds. Mandatory evacuations have already been issued for multiple counties along the coast, including specific zones in Pinellas and Pasco counties. A state of emergency has also been declared in advance for 51 counties.

Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall just two weeks after Hurricane Helene struck the Big Bend of Florida, which caused devastating damage and left over 230 people dead in states including Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. With resources already stretched thin due to Helene, there is concern that Milton’s impact will be even more challenging to manage. Residents of Florida should begin preparing now for a potentially catastrophic landfall in the coming days.