Milton continued to strengthen early Monday over the southern Gulf of Mexico, becoming a Category 3 storm with 120 mph sustained winds, as of 7 a.m. Monday.
Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches have been issued for parts of Florida.
A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the Gulf coast of Florida from Chokoloskee northward to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay, and the Dry Tortugas.
A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf Coast from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.
A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast west of the Suwannee River to Indian Pass, and south of Chokoloskee to Flamingo. A Tropical Storm Watch has also been issued for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Florida Keys, including Florida Bay.
At 7 a.m. Monday, Milton was moving toward the east-southeast near 8 mph. An eastward to east-southeastward motion is forecast through tonight, followed by a turn toward the east and northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On the forecast track, Milton is forecast 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 near 120 mph with higher gusts. Milton is forecast to intensify rapidly and become a major hurricane later today.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 954 mb.
IMPACT
RAIN: Rainfall projections are currently at 2 to 12 inches. The low accumulation begins in Southeast Georgia and increases closer to Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties. Flash flooding probabilities range from 15 to 40% with Southeast Georgia at the lowest risk and counties south of I-10 and along the coast with the higher changes.
WIND: As of this morning we have a 10 to 40% chance for tropical storm-force winds as Hurricane Milton makes landfall. Tropical storm force winds are at a minimum of 39 miles per hour, sustained for at least 60 seconds and up to 73 miles per hour. Anything above 73 miles per hour is considered hurricane-force winds. Arrival time for winds could start as soon as late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning, well before the eye makes landfall.
Hurricane Kirk
SURF: Swells generated by Kirk are affecting the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, portions of Atlantic Canada, and the Azores. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
Hurricane Leslie
There is no threat to land.