NHC expects major Hurricane Milton to strike Florida next week

The National Hurricane Center warned Saturday that newly formed Tropical Storm Milton will intensify into a major hurricane before it hits Florida next week.

“Milton is within favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions for strengthening,” said NHC Branch Chief Daniel Brown. “With the expected low vertical wind shear conditions, steady to rapid strengthening appears likely during the next few days.”

As of the NHC’s 5 p.m. advisory, Tropical Storm Milton had sustained winds of 40 mph as it moved north-northeast at 3 mph, located about 245 miles north of Veracruz, Mexico and 385 miles west-northwest of Progresso, Mexico. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out 35 miles.

Brown said it’s forecast to become a hurricane by Sunday, and a major hurricane by Monday afternoon with 115 mph sustained winds and gusts of 140 mph, an intensity expected to hold before landfall somewhere on Florida’s Gulf Coast by Wednesday afternoon.


https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/05/hurricane-center-expects-tropical-system-to-form-before-hitting-florida/