Tropical Storm Milton strengthens, landfall expected in Florida

Tropical Storm Milton is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days as it moves toward Florida. Milton has the potential to become a large and impactful system on the state's west coast, where many locations are still in recovery mode from the recent storm surge of Hurricane Helene. Maps, Models and TracksNBC2 First Alert Hurricane Tracking is monitoring the storm, and as of 5 a.m. Sunday, Milton has strengthened, with winds now 50 mph and moving eastward at 5 mph. Milton is approximately 845 miles west-southwest of Tampa. Hurricane and storm surge warnings are expected to be issued for parts of Florida on Sunday. Download the free NBC2 News app to get the latest weather alerts. Important point one: Where is the storm going? Milton is expected to move toward Florida and become stronger in the coming days. The National Hurricane Center's latest revised forecast shows the storm developing into a Category 3 hurricane by Tuesday afternoon. The storm is expected to remain a Category 3 storm as it nears landfall on Florida's west coast Wednesday afternoon. It is important not to focus on the center of the forecast cone. The cone indicates where the hurricane's center is most likely to be at a given time. A storm affecting the south side of the cone would bring greater wind and flooding impacts to our area. However, if the storm remains near the center or on the north side of the cone, the wind threat would be reduced in our area and the risk of storm surge would be maintained in our community. Forecast models show high consistency in centering Milton toward Florida, but it is not yet clear which part of the West Coast would be most likely to experience the full force of expected Category 3 winds. For this reason, it is better to rely on the National Hurricane Center's forecast cone rather than just focusing on forecast model comparisons. Important point two: What impact will there be where I live? It is too early to say in detail how much wind or storm surge a community in our area will experience this evening. However, given the forecast trends over the last 24 hours, there is a real chance that this storm will be both a devastating wind and storm surge event. It's likely that the first tropical weather watches for Florida will be released on Sunday. Combined with new forecast data, this should give us a better idea of ​​how much wind and storms are possible in the coming days. Because our community is at risk of storm surge even if the storm strikes north of us, residents who live near bodies of water, including the Gulf, rivers, bays, harbors and canals, should closely monitor the latest updates. We should have a clearer idea of ​​how much storm surge is forecast by late Sunday. A tropical air mass will form over South Florida on Sunday before any wind or storm surge occurs from Milton. This is likely to increase the amount of rainfall in the region on Sunday and Monday. As a result, a flood warning has been issued for our entire community until Thursday morning. Excessive runoff can cause flooding of rivers, streams, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 8+ inches are possible over the next 7 days. Important point three: When should I expect impacts? Since Milton is in the Gulf of Mexico, there won't be a long wait for the storm to get closer to our state. According to the National Hurricane Center, the earliest possible arrival time of tropical storm-force winds is 8 p.m. on Tuesday. This means that all outdoor preparation work for the storm should be completed by Tuesday evening at the latest. Download the free NBC2 News app to get the latest weather alerts. Follow the NBC2 Weather team on social media. Chief Meteorologist Allyson Rae on Facebook and XMeteorologist Jason Dunning on Facebook and XMeteorologist Rob Duns on Facebook and XMeteorologist Lauren Hope on Facebook and XMeteorologist Jesslyn Ferentz on Facebook and Watch our latest newscastDownload the free NBC2 News app to get your latest news and weather alerts.

FORT MYERS, Fla. –

Tropical Storm Milton is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days as it moves toward Florida.

Milton has the potential to become a large and impactful system on the state's west coast, where many locations are still in recovery mode from the recent storm surge of Hurricane Helene.

Maps, models and tracks

NBC2 First Alert Hurricane Tracking is monitoring the storm, and as of 5 a.m. Sunday, Milton has increased in strength, with sustained winds of 50 mph and moving eastward at 5 mph.

Milton is approximately 845 miles west-southwest of Tampa. Hurricane and storm surge warnings are expected to be issued for parts of Florida on Sunday.

Download the free NBC2 News app to get the latest weather alerts.

Important point one: Where is the storm going?

Milton is expected to move into Florida and become stronger in the coming days.

The National Hurricane Center's latest revised forecast shows the storm developing into a Category 3 hurricane by Tuesday afternoon. The storm is expected to remain a Category 3 storm as it nears landfall on Florida's west coast Wednesday afternoon.

It is important not to focus on the center of the forecast cone. The cone indicates where the hurricane's center is most likely to be at a given time.

A storm affecting the south side of the cone would bring greater wind and flooding impacts to our area. However, if the storm remains near the center or on the north side of the cone, the wind threat would be reduced in our area and the risk of storm surge would be maintained in our community.

Forecast models show high consistency in centering Milton toward Florida, but it is not yet clear which part of the West Coast would be most likely to experience the full force of expected Category 3 winds.

NBC2 (WBBH-TV)

For this reason, it is better to rely on the National Hurricane Center's forecast cone rather than just focusing on forecast model comparisons.

Important point two: What effects will there be where I live?

It is too early to say in detail how much wind or storm a community in our region will experience this evening. However, given the forecast trends over the last 24 hours, there is a real chance that this storm will be both a devastating wind and storm surge event.

It's likely that the first tropical weather watches for Florida will be released on Sunday. Combined with new forecast data, this should give us a better idea of ​​how much wind and storms are possible in the coming days.

Because our community is at risk of storm surge even if the storm strikes north of us, residents who live near bodies of water, including the Gulf, rivers, bays, harbors and canals, should closely monitor the latest updates.

We should have a clearer idea of ​​how much storm surge is forecast by late Sunday.

A tropical air mass will form over South Florida on Sunday before any wind or storm surge occurs from Milton. This is likely to increase the amount of rainfall in the region on Sunday and Monday. For this reason a Flood watch was issued to our entire community by Thursday morning.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, streams, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Rainfall amounts of 4 to 8+ inches are possible over the next 7 days.

Important point three: When should I expect impacts?

Since Milton is in the Gulf of Mexico, it won't be long before the storm comes close to our state.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the earliest possible arrival time of tropical storm-force winds is 8 p.m. on Tuesday. This means that all outdoor preparation work for the storm should be completed by Tuesday evening at the latest.

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