Hurricane Milton is now Category 2 as it will make landfall in Florida in the middle of the week

Milton continued to strengthen over the southern Gulf of Mexico early Monday, developing into a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 100 mph as of 5 a.m. Monday morning.

Hurricane and storm surge warnings have been issued for parts of Florida.

A hurricane warning is now in effect for Florida’s Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee north to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay and the Dry Tortugas.

A storm surge warning has been issued for Florida’s Gulf Coast from Flamingo north to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.

A tropical storm warning is now in effect for Florida’s Gulf Coast west of the Suwannee River to Indian Pass and south of Chokoloskee to Flamingo. A tropical storm warning has also been issued for the Lower, Middle and Upper Florida Keys, including Florida Bay.

As of 5 a.m. Monday, Milton was moving east-southeast at about 8 miles per hour. An east to east-southeast movement is forecast by this evening, followed by a turn to the east and northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On the forecast track, Milton is expected to move near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula today and Tuesday, then cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are now around 100 mph, with stronger gusts. Milton is forecast to rapidly strengthen and become a major hurricane later today.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 972 mb (28.71 in).

EFFECTS

RAIN: Precipitation forecasts are currently 2 to 12 inches. Minor accumulation begins in southeast Georgia and increases near Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties. The chance of flash flooding ranges from 15 to 40%, with southeast Georgia having the lowest risk and counties south of I-10 and along the coast seeing the greater changes.

WIND: As of this morning, there is a 10% to 40% chance of tropical storm force winds as Hurricane Milton makes landfall. Tropical storm-force winds are blowing at least 39 miles per hour, lasting at least 60 seconds, and reaching speeds of up to 73 miles per hour. Anything above 73 miles per hour is considered hurricane force winds. The arrival time of the winds could begin as early as late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning, well before the eye reaches land.

Hurricane Kirk

SURFING: Waves caused by Kirk affect the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, parts of Atlantic Canada, and the Azores. These waves can create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult your local weather office products.

Hurricane Leslie

There is no threat to landing.