As of this morning, the center of Hurricane Milton was located near latitude 22.3 North, longitude 88.9 West. Milton is moving toward the east-northeast near 12 mph.
This storm will likely be taking a turn toward the east-northeast and northeast today into Wednesday.
On the forecast track, the center of Milton is forecast to move near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula through today, then cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula tomorrow.
Maximum sustained winds are down to 155 mph with higher gusts. Milton is 2 mph short of becoming a catastrophic category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
The most recent minimum central pressure estimated from Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations is 924 mb.
RAINFALL: Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches, with localized totals up to 15 inches, are expected across portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday. This rainfall brings the risk of considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.
Hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area on the west coast of Florida as early as Wednesday afternoon, with tropical storm conditions beginning early Wednesday. Hurricane conditions could begin along the east coast of Florida in the watch areas on Wednesday night, with tropical storm conditions possible beginning Wednesday afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the tropical storm warning areas in Florida beginning early Wednesday and will spread northward through the day.
SURF: Swells generated by Milton are expected to continue to affect much of the Gulf Coast within the next day or two, and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.