October 7, 10 a.m.
Milton is now on the cusp of category 5 status with 155 mph winds. Category 5 begins at 157 mph. The hurricane is still projected to make landfall as a major category 3 storm along Florida’s west coast Wednesday evening. Due to the large storm surge predicted to go as high as 12 feet, evacuation orders are now underway in many coastal communities, and local residents are encouraged to heed the advice of their local emergency managers.
October 7, 9 a.m.
Milton rapidly intensified to a category 4 hurricane early Monday morning, sustained winds of 150 mph. Milton will continue to strengthen over the Gulf. As it approaches landfall, Milton will remain a major hurricane with winds closer to 125 mph. Tropical storm, hurricane and storm surge watches have been issued all along the Gulf coast of Florida, including inland counties. Rainfall forecasts between 5-10″ with isolated spots over 15″ will be possible. Storm surge forecast along Tampa Bay, 8-12′.
Meanwhile, deeper in the Atlantic, Leslie is slowly losing intensity as a category 1 hurricane in the open central Atlantic and is not expected to directly impact land. Hurricane Kirk is becoming less organized in the northern Atlantic and is anticipated to bring heavy rain and strong winds to western Europe later this week.
October 6, 4 p.m.
Milton continues to rapidly intensify and is now a Cat. 1 hurricane. Milton is expected to become a Cat. 4 hurricane by Tuesday as it moves east through the Gulf. The latest track has Milton making landfall in the western coast of Florida Wednesday as a major hurricane. No impacts to Texas.
October 6, 9 a.m.
Tropical Storm Milton is forecast to quickly intensify while it moves eastward in the western Gulf of Mexico this week. Unfortunately conditions look conducive for Milton to become a major hurricane by the time we get to Tuesday. It is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane Wednesday somewhere along the western coastline of Florida. No impacts to Texas.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin we also have hurricane Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie, though neither are going to impact the US.
