Milton now a Category 2 storm, expected to strengthen to major hurricane status today
As Hurricane Milton churns in the Gulf of Mexico and threatens Florida’s coast, the National Hurricane Center says it is closely monitoring the storm’s path and strength.On Monday morning, the NHC said Milton was moving “erratically” through the Gulf of Mexico and rapidly gaining strength, becoming a Category 2 storm around 5 a.m.According to current models, Milton is expected to make landfall along Florida’s west coast on Wednesday, possibly as a major hurricane. While models can change a lot in the next few days, officials say direct impacts are expected in the Tampa area. Throughout Monday, Milton is expected to to continue east-southeast on its path, followed by a turn toward the east and northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday. >> Track Hurricane Milton: Latest cone, spaghetti models, projected pathThe NHC says Milton is expected to rapidly intensify Monday, becoming a major hurricane before making landfall in Florida.Where is Milton right now?The NHC says Milton is currently 750 miles west-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and a minimum central pressure of 972 mb. The system is currently moving east-southeast at 8 mph. Milton watches and warningsA hurricane warning is in effect for: Coast of Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Celestun to Rio LagartosA hurricane watch is in effect for:Coast of Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Rio Lagartos to Cabo CatocheFlorida Gulf coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa BayA storm surge watch is in effect for: Florida Gulf coast from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa BayA tropical storm warning is in effect for:Coast of Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Rio Lagartos to CancunA tropical storm watch is in effect for: Florida Gulf coast from Flamingo to south of ChololoskeeFlorida Gulf coast north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to Indian PassLower, middle and upper Florida Keys, including Florida Bay>> More: Difference between tropical storm, hurricane watch and warningHow will Milton impact Florida?According to the NHC, the greatest impacts from Hurricane Milton are storm surge, rainfall and high winds. Officials say storm surge from Milton will raise water levels and create “large and destructive waves.” Rainfall is expected to add to the destruction, with some portions of Florida seeing up to 15 inches of rain. These conditions could lead to flash, urban and areal flooding, the NHC says, adding that there is a risk for moderate to major river flooding.All interests in Florida should brace for sustains winds and gusts of hurricane strength. In Central Florida, residents could see gusts of more than 70 mph.>> How will Hurricane Milton impact Central Florida? County-by-county breakdownHurricane Helene recoveryHurricane Milton comes right on the heels of Hurricane Helene’s devastating landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm. Many Florida residents are still recovering from intense flooding, damaging storm surge and extreme wreckage from winds topping 140 mph.Related: WESH 2 Hurricane Survival Guide 2024Related: Surviving the Season | 2024 Hurricane Special from WESH 2First Warning WeatherStay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts. The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.
As Hurricane Milton churns in the Gulf of Mexico and threatens Florida’s coast, the National Hurricane Center says it is closely monitoring the storm’s path and strength.
On Monday morning, the NHC said Milton was moving “erratically” through the Gulf of Mexico and rapidly gaining strength, becoming a Category 2 storm around 5 a.m.
According to current models, Milton is expected to make landfall along Florida’s west coast on Wednesday, possibly as a major hurricane. While models can change a lot in the next few days, officials say direct impacts are expected in the Tampa area.
Throughout Monday, Milton is expected to to continue east-southeast on its path, followed by a turn toward the east and northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.
>> Track Hurricane Milton: Latest cone, spaghetti models, projected path
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The NHC says Milton is expected to rapidly intensify Monday, becoming a major hurricane before making landfall in Florida.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Where is Milton right now?
The NHC says Milton is currently 750 miles west-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and a minimum central pressure of 972 mb. The system is currently moving east-southeast at 8 mph.
Milton watches and warnings
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Coast of Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Celestun to Rio Lagartos
A hurricane watch is in effect for:
- Coast of Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche
- Florida Gulf coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
A storm surge watch is in effect for:
- Florida Gulf coast from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
- Coast of Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Rio Lagartos to Cancun
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
- Florida Gulf coast from Flamingo to south of Chololoskee
- Florida Gulf coast north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass
- Lower, middle and upper Florida Keys, including Florida Bay
>> More: Difference between tropical storm, hurricane watch and warning
How will Milton impact Florida?
According to the NHC, the greatest impacts from Hurricane Milton are storm surge, rainfall and high winds.
Officials say storm surge from Milton will raise water levels and create “large and destructive waves.” Rainfall is expected to add to the destruction, with some portions of Florida seeing up to 15 inches of rain. These conditions could lead to flash, urban and areal flooding, the NHC says, adding that there is a risk for moderate to major river flooding.
All interests in Florida should brace for sustains winds and gusts of hurricane strength. In Central Florida, residents could see gusts of more than 70 mph.
>> How will Hurricane Milton impact Central Florida? County-by-county breakdown
Hurricane Helene recovery
Hurricane Milton comes right on the heels of Hurricane Helene’s devastating landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm. Many Florida residents are still recovering from intense flooding, damaging storm surge and extreme wreckage from winds topping 140 mph.
Related: WESH 2 Hurricane Survival Guide 2024
Related: Surviving the Season | 2024 Hurricane Special from WESH 2
First Warning Weather
Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.
Download the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts.
The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.
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