Milton forms in the Gulf, could become Major Hurricane

Tropical Depression Fourteen formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico Saturday morning, quickly becoming Tropical Storm Milton.

Tropical Storm Milton NHC forecast cone

This storm is quickly organizing, driven by the abnormally warm water temperatures. Milton has winds of 40 mph and is moving NNE at 3 mph and has observed a noticeable increase in convection with the area of low pressure over the past 12 hours.

Current satellite imagery of TD14

Ahead of Milton, the water temperatures remain above normal and environmental conditions will favor intensification this weekend, through midweek, before landfall along the western Florida peninsula as potentially a high-end category 2 or low-end category 3 hurricane sometime Wednesday morning. Regardless of category 2 or 3 status, impacts will be the same so don't focus on whether or not it'll be a 2 or 3. At this time, the areas that could see landfall are between Cedar Key to Everglades City. This means Tampa and Fort Myers are in that zone. Over the next 36 to 48 hours, models will continue to tighten and hone-in on a most probable landfall region.

Deadly storm surge and heavy rain that will lead to life-threatening flooding are two big concerns with Milton. Wind and tornadoes are additional hazards. Please review your hurricane and evacuation plans this weekend and be in go-mode once local officials make the call. Now is a good time to go the grocery store to get essentials before it gets too hectic.

The majority of impacts with Milton will be realized in Florida, and at this time, moisture is forecast to stay south of the heavily impacted areas from Helene in western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northeastern Georgia. Keep checking back for updates.