NHC has bumped up Milton’s peak intensity forecast to 120mph

Published: Updated:
Milton 11 PM Advisory 10-5-24

Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. The NHC is calling for Milton to be upgraded to a category 3 hurricane, making landfall Wednesday along the Florida West Coast.

The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Storm Milton.

As of the National Hurricane Center’s 11:00 p.m. Saturday advisory, Milton is moving toward the north-northeast at 3 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph.

According to the NHC, the storm is forecast to become a category 3 hurricane at peak intensity and make landfall on Wednesday.

The NHC has bumped up the peak intensity forecast to 120 mph, upper cat 2 to lower cat 3 at landfall.

WINK News’ chief meteorologist Matt Devitt shared his thoughts on the storm, saying the current highest probability for landfall is between Hernando Beach to Everglades City, which includes potential tracks through Tampa Bay or Southwest Florida.

Although model changes are always possible, they will start to tighten up with greater accuracy over the next day or two.

Surge will again be a problem for a portion of our western Florida coastline.

A Flood Watch has been issued for Collier, Hendry and Glades counties until 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10.

The Weather Authority has a rainfall forecast in Southwest Florida of 4 to 7 inches on average for Saturday through Wednesday, with isolated 8-plus inches in spots.

The storm would be closest to southwest Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Areas that should keep an eye on Milton’s progress include the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys.

The Weather Authority Team is also tracking Hurricane Kirk, a major hurricane in the Central Atlantic, Hurricane Leslie in the Eastern Atlantic, and a tropical wave in the Eastern Atlantic.

The good news is that the strongest tropical systems, Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie, are forecast to stay in the Atlantic and far away from the United States.

Download the WINK Weather app, stream the latest forecast or WINK Doppler 3x anywhere you go.

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