TAMPA, Fla. — As a major Category 5 storm, Hurricane Milton "poses an extremely serious threat to Florida," the National Hurricane Center said.
While it's forecast to bring dangerous conditions to Florida and the Tampa Bay area, Milton is expected to continue weakening slightly before reaching landfall sometime midweek.
Milton came on the scene on Saturday as a tropical storm. Early Monday morning, Milton kicked off a rapid intensification starting as a Category 2 storm. By noon, the storm had strengthened to a large Category 5 hurricane.
Florida could see impacts beginning Tuesday evening into Wednesday.
As of the latest advisory, the storm is about 630 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds at 165 mph. Earlier on Monday, Milton had maximum sustained winds of 180 miles per hour.
It is moving east at 9 mph.
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Florida's west coast from Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
- Celestun to Rio Lagartos
A hurricane watch has been issued for the following:
- Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche
- Campeche to south of Celestun
- Dry Tortugas
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida's west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Indian River County Line northward to the mouth of the St. Marys River
A tropical storm warning is in place for:
- Rio Lagartos to Cancun
- Campeche to south of Celestun
- All of the Florida Keys, including Dry Tortugas
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida's west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida's west coast from north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the following:
- East coast of the Florida Peninsula south of the St. Lucie/Indian River County Line southward to Flamingo
- Coast of Georgia and South Carolina from north of the mouth of the St. Marys River to South Santee River, South Carolina
A storm surge warning is in effect for:
- West coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
A storm surge watch has been issued for the following:
- Sebastian Inlet to Edisto Beach, including St. Johns River
Currently, the Tampa Bay area is expected to see between 10 and 15 feet of storm surge.
Rainfall from Milton is expected to range between 5-10 inches with localized totals up to 12 inches across portions of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night. That rainfall will bring risks of flash, urban and areal flooding along with minor to moderate river flooding, according to NHC. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the Florida Peninsula starting Sunday morning.
With a front sinking in from the north, the areas prone to seeing most of the rain will exist along and south of I-4. Coastal areas should pay close attention to the forecast and have a way to receive alerts in case a flash flood warning were to be issued. Anticipated rainfall from Sunday night to Wednesday will range from 3" - 6" with higher totals possible in isolated spots.
By Wednesday, Hurricane Milton's impacts will also include storm surge and damaging winds. Keep checking back for updates.
Our 10 Tampa Bay Weather team will continue to monitor any development and keep you informed, prepared and connected through the rest of hurricane season.