Tropical depression Milton became a tropical storm this Saturday, October 5, and could reach hurricane status and impact the west coast of Florida next week, as reported this Saturday by the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Tropical depression 14 began its formation in the Gulf of Mexico, generating alerts and expectations while its evolution into a hurricane is expected. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has begun issuing advisories because the tropical storm could become Hurricane Milton in the coming days. According to the NHC, it is “expected to make landfall along the west coast of Florida mid-week near Tampa,” possibly as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of up to 177 km/h (110 mph).
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the NHC detailed that the system was 338 km (210 miles) northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, and 563 km (350 miles) from Progreso, Mexico. The system’s winds are reaching speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph). This information indicates that the depression is moving toward the north-northeast at a speed of 9.6 km/h (6 mph). Its movement is expected to progressively accelerate and strengthen over the next few days.
The Yucatan Peninsula, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys and the northwestern Bahamas are the main areas of interest. In the words of the NHC, “the system’s areas of interest are the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and the northwestern Bahamas.” Likewise, the agency has warned about the possibility that “hurricane and tropical storm watches will be issued for some portions of Florida on Sunday.”
The tropical depression is already generating precipitation and thunderstorms in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. These weather conditions could intensify and bring torrential rain to much of Florida late this weekend through the middle of next week. The NHC has indicated that “regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall could occur in parts of Mexico over the next day or two.”
The expected impact in Florida includes significant storm surge, heavy rainfall, and severe hurricane force winds. These conditions are of concern not only to residents of the Florida peninsula, but also to those in the northwestern Bahamas, who are also being warned to closely monitor this storm.
According to the media, this storm has the potential to cause significant impacts across much of the peninsula. With the system currently advancing, the decisive factor will be its strengthening to hurricane status before reaching the coast. According to the NHC, “potential Tropical Storm Milton will move faster and is likely to strengthen into a hurricane.”
The NHC has also indicated that next Sunday it is likely that tropical storm and hurricane warnings will be issued in some areas of Florida, anticipating the potential arrival of Milton as an adverse weather phenomenon. With this anticipation, it is crucial that residents in affected areas stay informed and prepared for severe weather conditions.
Meteorological analysis suggests that Milton could evolve rapidly in the coming days, a forecast that increases the urgency of taking precautions in both Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula. It is also highlighted that these regions of Florida have previous experience with storms of this magnitude, recognizing the importance of being alert for a possible storm surge.
As a precaution, the NHC recommends that all interests from southern Texas to the northwestern Bahamas maintain constant monitoring of the evolution of this tropical depression.
What is a tropical storm?
A tropical storm is a type of tropical cyclone characterized by sustained winds ranging from 63 km/h to 118 km/h. It forms over warm ocean waters and generally features a well-defined circulation with spiraling clouds and intense rain. As it intensifies, a tropical storm can become a hurricane if winds reach or exceed 119 km/h.
The forecast in Mexico
The National Water Commission of Mexico (Conagua) indicated this Saturday that the circulation of the tropical depression will cause heavy to intense occasional rains in the northeast and east of the country, in addition to strong winds in Tamaulipas and Veracruz.
“Very heavy rains are forecast with intense occasional rains (75 to 150 mm) in Tamaulipas and Veracruz; heavy rains with very strong spots (50 to 75 mm) in Nuevo León and Puebla; as well as showers with occasional heavy rains (25 to 50 mm) in San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo,” the report detailed.
Among the recommendations, Conagua advised “to take extreme precautions for the general population in the areas of the mentioned states due to rain, wind and waves (including maritime navigation) and to comply with the recommendations issued by the authorities of the National Civil Protection System.”
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