Editor’s note: Spanish-language version follows
Hurricane Milton continues to intensify, and as of 5 p.m. Sunday, no hurricane watches had been issued for Florida. However, some will likely be issued late Sunday or early Monday morning, as some parts of the state can expect to experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours of the watch being issued.
Milton is moving east at about 7 mph. This general motion is expected through the next 24 hours. The frontal boundary, causing cloudy skies and rainy weather this weekend over Florida, continues to influence Milton and keep it in this general eastward direction. This front will eventually lose its grip, allowing Milton to turn northeast toward Florida.
It is still early to know exactly where Milton will make landfall, but we do know that the impacts will be extensive and varied. Florida´s West Coast residents must prepare for devastating storm surges, especially those from the Tampa Bay area to the south. Damaging winds are also at play as Milton is forecast to be a major category hurricane when it lands in Florida on Wednesday. Although some wind shear could dent its strength at landfall, this could be last minute, and storm surge would be present by then.
Also, it is important to remember that if wind shear interacts with this system, its wind field could expand, and this would mean that more areas across the Peninsula will deal with stronger winds.
Heavy rainfall will affect much of the Peninsula. It´s already been a rainy weekend due to that frontal boundary draping over Florida. Additional rain is expected, especially between Tuesday and Thursday morning, with the most intense rains and winds happening on Wednesday. The exact times will still need adjustments as we analyze when Milton will take the exact turn toward Florida.
As of Sunday afternoon, parts of the Florida Peninsula should be prepared for rainfall between 5 and 10 inches, with some localized areas up to 15 inches of rain. This is from Milton only and is in addition to what we have received this weekend through Monday.
We will continue to bring you updates. The next update will come at 11 p.m.
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Hurricane Milton moves and strengthens
Hurricane Milton continues to intensify, and as of 5 p.m., no hurricane watch had been issued for Florida. However, some will likely be issued late Sunday or very early Monday morning, as some parts of the state may experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours of the watch being issued.
Milton is moving east at approximately 7 mph. This general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours or so until the frontal boundary, which has been causing cloudy skies and rainy weather this weekend in Florida, continues to influence Milton and keep it in this general eastward direction . This front will lose its control, allowing Milton to turn northeast toward Florida.
It’s still early to know exactly where Milton will make landfall, but we do know that the impacts will be extensive and varied. Residents along Florida’s west coast should prepare for devastating storm surges, especially those in the Tampa Bay area to the south. Damaging winds are also in play, as Milton is forecast to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday. Although some wind shear could dent its strength at landfall, this could be last minute, and the storm surge would already be present by then. Additionally, it is important to remember that if wind shear interacts with this system, its wind field could expand, and this would mean that more areas on the Peninsula will deal with stronger winds.
Heavy rains will affect a large part of the Peninsula. It’s already been a rainy weekend due to that frontal boundary covering Florida. Additional rainfall is expected, especially between Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with the heaviest rainfall and winds occurring on Wednesday. The exact schedules will still need adjustments as we analyze when Milton will make the exact turn toward Florida. Beginning Sunday afternoon, parts of the Florida Peninsula should be prepared for rainfall between 5 and 10 inches, with some localized areas of up to 15 inches of rain. This is just from Milton and is in addition to what we have received this weekend through Monday.
