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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 p.m. update, the system had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is moving north-northeastward at 5 mph.
The NHC forecasts the storm to rapidly strengthen and bring “the risk of life-threatening impacts to portions of the West Coast of Florida next week.”
It is forecast to reach Category 3 major hurricane strength with 115 mph winds on its approach to Florida’s Gulf Coast, weakening to a Category 2 storm before making landfall.
As of this report, the storm was located about 860 miles west-southwest of Tampa.
The government of Mexico has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Celestun to Cancun.
The NHC anticipates gusty winds and heavy rainfall to be dumped over Florida and parts of Mexico, beginning late this weekend and into early next week.
Max Defender 8’s Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said heavy downpours will begin Sunday as the first wave of moisture reaches Florida’s coast. A pattern of rainfall and dry breaks will continue through Tuesday.
“Given that the ground is saturated after one of the rainiest wet seasons on record, any downpours will lead to flooding,” Berardelli said.
There is also the potential for life-threatening storm surge. Storm surge and hurricane warnings could be issued for this system by late Sunday, according to the NHC.
The exact track of the storm, and how strong it will be when it likely reaches Florida by Wednesday, is still unknown, but 5 to 10 inches of rainfall from Central to South Florida is possible.
Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie
A tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa on Friday. Within seven days, it has a 30% chance of development, as it moves across the Atlantic.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic, Hurricane Kirk remained a major hurricane with 115 mph winds. The NHC expects large swells to reach the U.S. East Coast by Sunday.
Hurricane Leslie, located in the Tropical East Atlantic, has slightly strengthened as it continues its track west-northwestward. It has 80 mph maximum sustained winds.
