Milton strengthens into a Category 5 hurricane

TAMPA - Just days after Hurricane Helene's devastating impacts, another significant tropical threat to the United States is lurking in the Gulf of Mexico. AccuWeather experts are warning that Hurricane Milton will gain even more strength before plowing ashore in the west-central Florida Peninsula later this week.

Impacts ranging from a devastating storm surge to major flooding from rain, damaging wind gusts, pounding surf and tornadoes are expected in Florida as Milton moves through during the middle of the week. Because of the risk, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency and is urging that preparations to protect life and property should begin immediately.

“This is an unusual and extremely concerning forecast track for a hurricane approaching the Tampa Bay area,” warned AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. “Milton could create an extreme and life-threatening storm surge. Please make sure your family and friends in this area are prepared."

Rapid intensification has occurred over the gulf

Milton rapidly transitioned in 24 hours from a 65-mph tropical storm at 10 a.m. CDT on Sunday morning to a 155-mph major (Category 4) hurricane at 10 a.m. on Monday morning. This nearly triples the threshold that defines rapid intensification of 35 mph in 24 hours.

At 11 a.m. on Monday, Milton reached 160-mph Category 5 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and is forecast to maintain Category 4-5 intensity over the south-central and eastern Gulf of Mexico before making landfall late Wednesday along the west coast of the Florida Peninsula.

"The ocean heat content is at the highest level on record for this time of year in the gulf, despite the recent passage of Helene," added AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva. "The deep, warm waters can act like rocket fuel for Milton, allowing for rapid intensification."

Some slight fluctuation in peak intensity is anticipated. Even if the hurricane's peak wind intensity slips a bit just prior to landfall, impacts are forecast to be dangerous, extreme and perhaps even locally catastrophic.