NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA (352today.com) – Milton has been anything but stable.  The monster storm has gained strength, once again.

Hurricane Milton has intensified back to Category 5, according to NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft. Though the central pressure has since risen slightly, Milton remains a powerful storm with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.

Milton is expected to move northeastward, reaching the Florida Gulf Coast within the next 24 hours. Despite expected weakening due to increasing wind shear, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) says that the storm will still approach Florida as a dangerous major hurricane. It might begin to change into an extratropical system when it meets a frontal boundary, which would give more energy to the storm.

What Does This Mean

When a hurricane like Milton is described as “starting to change into an extratropical system” when it hits a frontal boundary, the NHC says that it indicates that the storm is shifting from a warm-core tropical system to a cold-core system. Tropical storms and hurricanes rely on warm ocean waters for energy, but as they travel into cooler regions or come into contact with a cold front, they start to lose their warm tropical features.

Residents on Florida’s west-central coast are dealing with serious storm surge, which could reach 10 feet or higher. Dangerous winds, heavy rain, and widespread flooding are also anticipated throughout the state. Officials are advising residents to finish their preparations right away and to follow evacuation orders immediately.

Key Warnings:
  • Storm Surge: Severe flooding over 10 feet is anticipated in coastal regions.
  • Hurricane Winds: Strong winds will affect Florida’s west coast, with gusts moving further inland.
  • Flooding: Intense rain expected until Thursday could lead to severe flooding and risky river overflows.

Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.

Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.

Updated on 10.08.24 at 5:54 p.m.: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has announced that the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters say Hurricane Milton has intensified into a strong Category 5 storm, with its central pressure falling to 923 mb during their recent flight through the storm’s center. Satellite images reveal a notable enhancement, featuring cold cloud tops creating a thick ring around a 10-mile-wide eye. Present estimates suggest that Milton has maximum sustained winds of 167 mph, ranking it among the most hazardous storms of the season.

Milton is moving east-northeast and is likely to speed up as it approaches Florida’s west coast later today. This movement is influenced by a trough in the Gulf of Mexico and a ridge near the Greater Antilles. While the storm’s path has shown a small shift, experts caution that the precise landfall spot is still unclear, with forecasts having a possible error of 60 nautical miles even 36 hours before it makes landfall.

The NHC forecasts that Milton will stay a strong hurricane while traveling over the Gulf of Mexico, although it may weaken because of increased vertical shear in the next 24 hours. Still, the storm might draw energy from a nearby front, making it a serious risk for Florida. As it nears the state, the hurricane’s wind field is likely to grow, potentially doubling in size by the time it hits land.

Milton is expected to bring strong hurricane winds, a storm surge exceeding 10 feet in some places, and heavy rain that may cause severe flooding. Residents in Florida, particularly those in the storm’s path, are advised to evacuate and finish their storm preparations today. This hurricane could be one of the most damaging to affect the west-central Florida area.

Key Messages:
  1. Storm Surge: Life-threatening storm surge exceeding 10 feet is expected along parts of the Florida west coast. Evacuations should be completed today.
  2. Hurricane-force Winds: Catastrophic winds are expected, with residents needing to complete all preparations to protect life and property by tonight.
  3. Heavy Rainfall: The potential for catastrophic flash flooding and major river flooding across the Florida Peninsula through Thursday.
  4. Yucatan Peninsula: Tropical storm conditions and storm surge are expected to continue for parts of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.

Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.

Updated on 10.08.24 at 11:44 a.m.: Hurricane Milton has undergone an eyewall replacement overnight, with its new eyewall contracting from 22 nautical miles (NMI) to 12 NMI in diameter.

Despite this, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) says that Milton remains a powerful hurricane with no significant weakening. Recent NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) observations measured wind speeds up to 156 knots (kt), translating to an intensity of 130 kt. The latest central pressure recorded is 929 millibars (mb).

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This NHC says this means that Hurricane Milton has undergone a natural process called an eyewall replacement cycle (ERC).

This is what it means:

  1. Eyewall Replacement Cycle (ERC): Hurricanes sometimes go through a cycle where a new, larger outer eyewall forms and replaces the original inner eyewall, according to the NHC. During this transition, the inner eyewall collapses, and the outer eyewall contracts inward to take its place. This happened to Hurricane Milton overnight.
  2. Eyewall Size Reduction: The NHC says that Milton’s new eyewall has shrunk from 22 nautical miles to 12 NMI in diameter, meaning the eye of the storm has become more compact.
  3. Strength and Wind Speed: Despite this eyewall change, Milton remains powerful, says the NHC. The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) detected wind speeds as high as 156 kt in the lowest 150 meters of the atmosphere. This translates to an intensity of 130 kt, which means it still has extremely strong winds, indicating that Milton hasn’t weakened significantly.
  4. Pressure Measurement: The central pressure of the hurricane, recorded at 929 mb, reflects how intense the storm is. The NHC notes that lower pressure often correlates with a more intense hurricane.

The NHC says that Milton is now moving east-northeast and is expected to shift northeastward, accelerating as it approaches the west-central coast of Florida, with landfall predicted Wednesday night. However, the exact location remains uncertain due to potential deviations in the storm’s path.

Forecasts show Milton maintaining major hurricane strength while crossing the Gulf of Mexico, even if some weakening occurs. Strong winds, storm surge, and heavy rainfall will extend well beyond the forecast cone, states the NHC. You are urged to complete all preparations today, as Hurricane Milton poses a significant threat to life and property, with evacuations strongly advised in storm surge warning areas.

Key Warnings from the NHC:
  • Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds are expected along Florida’s west coast.
  • Evacuations should be completed by today to avoid dangerous conditions.
  • You should brace for destructive winds, power outages, and heavy flooding across Florida.

Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.

Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.

Original story posted on 10.08.24 at 5:44 a.m.: Hurricane Milton was busy overnight, going through significant structural changes.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says that Hurricane Milton has changed a lot overnight, finishing an eyewall replacement cycle that has made the storm larger. This is a normal process for strong hurricanes, according to the NHC. It can cause the peak winds to vary, but it also spreads the hurricane’s wind field, affecting a bigger area with strong winds.

Milton’s intensity is still very strong, with winds reaching about 155 mph. The hurricane is moving northeast at 10 knots, and it is expected to speed up to an east-northeast direction after passing over Florida and entering the Atlantic. Although some weakening may occur due to wind shear before it hits land, the National Hurricane Center predicts that Milton will still be a highly dangerous storm as it nears the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night.

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If you live on the Gulf Coast, the NHC advises that you act quickly. A storm is coming that could cause dangerous storm surges, strong winds, and heavy rain. The wind field of the storm is predicted to nearly double before it hits land, which means the damage could reach areas far outside the predicted path.

Key Threats:
  • Storm Surge: A life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by destructive waves, is expected along portions of Florida’s west coast. If you are in a warning zone, the NHC strongly suggests that you follow local emergency management orders and evacuate immediately if instructed.
  • Hurricane-Force Winds: The NHC says that devastating winds are expected to impact a large area of Florida. The hurricane is forecast to maintain hurricane status as it crosses the state, with gusts spreading inland.
  • Heavy Rainfall and Flooding: Heavy rains ahead of Milton’s landfall will continue across parts of Florida through early Thursday, bringing a high risk of flash flooding., according to the NHC, adding that river flooding could combine with storm surge to create a dangerous flooding situation.

The NHC warns that Hurricane Milton will be one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit Florida’s west and central regions. You need to complete your preparations to protect lives and property by tonight, as the storm will begin affecting the area before it reaches land, the NHC adds.

Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.

Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.