Milton to become Major Category 3 Hurricane, Florida landfall midweek

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center calls for a Major Category 3 Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico by Tuesday with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph with higher gusts. This new advisory also calls for Milton to potentially maintain that peak intensity as it nears the western Florida peninsula on Wednesday—either late morning or early afternoon--tropical storm-force winds begin late Tuesday, increasing to hurricane-force by early Wednesday.

Latest (Saturday evening) NHC forecast cone for Milton

Latest (Saturday evening) NHC forecast cone for Milton-hyperlocal

This intensity and trajectory of Milton will create a large storm surge for parts of the western Florida Peninsula coastline. The highest storm surge will be on the southern side of the hurricane as it moves east toward Florida, potentially 10-15 feet in some cases. The specifics will be ironed out over the coming day(s).

While the latest forecast has the center of the cone directly over Tampa Bay, which would potentially make this quite devastating for the city, it does not mean the eye will track directly over Tampa. Instead, it could lie anywhere within the cone. Regardless of landfall location, impacts from this hurricane will be felt well beyond where the center makes landfall so, please prepare if you live anywhere in Florida.

Keep a close eye on the forecast for important updates.