Hurricane Milton drops in strength slightly, remains extremely dangerous Cat 4

Hurricane Milton is expected to fluctuate in intensity over the next day but will remain extremely dangerous through landfall in Florida later this week.

As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, Hurricane Milton was packing sustained winds of 145 mph with higher gusts.

Milton was moving toward the east-northeast near 12 mph.

This storm will likely be taking a turn toward the east-northeast and northeast Tuesday into Wednesday.

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

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.

The most recent minimum central pressure estimated from Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations is 929 MB.

Because Milton is a more compact storm, it is harder to predict because its speed, strength and track can shift very quickly.

Be sure to follow our updates on each advisory because things could change fast with this storm, and we want you to be safe.

Watches and warnings for Florida

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

• The west coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

• Florida’s west coast from Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

• Sebastian Inlet to Edisto Beach, including St. Johns River

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

• Dry Tortugas
• Lake Okeechobee
• Florida’s west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach
• Florida’s east coast from the St. Lucie/Indian River County Line
  northward to the mouth of the St. Marys River

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• All of the Florida Keys, including Dry Tortugas
• Lake Okeechobee
• Florida’s west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach
• Florida’s west coast from north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

• The east coast of the Florida Peninsula south of the St. Lucie/Indian River County Line southward to Flamingo
• Coast of Georgia and South Carolina from north of the mouth of the St. Marys River to South Santee River, South Carolina

The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:

• Flagler/Volusia County Line, FL to Altamaha Sound, GA: 3-5 ft.
• Sebastian Inlet to Flagler/Volusia County Line: 2-4 ft.
• Altamaha Sound, GA to Edisto Beach, SC: 2-4 ft.
• St. Johns River: 2-4 ft.

RAINFALL: Rainfall amounts of 5 to 12 inches, with localized totals up to 18 inches, are expected across central to northern portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday. This rainfall brings the risk of life-threatening flash, urban and aerial flooding along with moderate to major river flooding.

• Locally: The lowest accumulation of rain 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 highest chances.

WIND: 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.

• Tropical storm force winds are at a minimum of 39 mph, sustained for at least 60 seconds and up to 73 mph. Anything above 73 mph 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.

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.