"Hurricane Milton strengthens back to Category 4 with 155 mph winds; Florida braces for imminent impacts."

 

Hurricane Milton, now a major storm in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to make landfall along Florida's west coast soon.

After intensifying into a Category 5 hurricane on Monday, Milton briefly weakened due to an eyewall replacement cycle but regained its Category 5 status on Tuesday. As of 8 a.m. today, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Milton had weakened slightly to a Category 4 with winds of 155 mph.

As the storm approaches Florida, the NHC warns that conditions will begin to deteriorate Wednesday afternoon. Residents are urged to complete all preparations, including evacuations, by this morning.

While earlier forecasts anticipated a Category 3 landfall, new models suggest Milton could make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. Though the exact location is still being determined, Tampa and nearby areas have been advised to prepare for the possibility of a direct hit.
 

When will Hurricane Milton hit Florida?

The latest NHC advisory forecasts that Milton will make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast late Wednesday night, with the potential for early Thursday morning depending on its speed. The storm is expected to move off Florida’s east coast and into the Atlantic by Thursday afternoon.
 

Where is Hurricane Milton now?

As of the NHC’s 8 a.m. advisory, Milton is located 250 miles southwest of Tampa, moving northeast at 16 mph. The next update is expected at 11 a.m.
 

How strong is Hurricane Milton?

Currently, Milton has maximum sustained winds of 155 mph and a minimum central pressure of 915 mb. While it has weakened slightly, the NHC warns that Milton is expected to remain a dangerous Category 4 hurricane upon reaching Florida’s west-central coast.
 

Milton watches and warnings:

A Storm surge warning is in effect for:
- The west coast of Florida from Flamingo to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
- Sebastian Inlet, FL, to Altamaha Sound, GA, including the St. Johns River

A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Florida's west coast from Bonita Beach to the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
- Florida's east coast from St. Lucie/Martin County line to Ponte Vedra Beach
- Marion, Seminole, Orange, Lake, Osceola, Polk, Sumter, Flagler, Volusia, and Brevard Counties