Invest 92L has quickly intensified into tropical storm Milton. It is now forecast to be a major hurricane before it reaches Florida. 

Milton is forecast to quickly intensify while it moves eastward to northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico and be at or near major hurricane strength when it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula midweek.

There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and check back for updates to the forecast.

Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida Sunday and Monday well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This rainfall brings the risk of flash, urban, and area flooding, along with minor to moderate river flooding.

 

 

 

 

5 am update:

Before Milton reaches Florida's west coast, forecasters predict that it will intensify into a major hurricane. It may intensify into a Category 5 storm prior to making landfall in Florida.

Milton is forecast to quickly intensify while it moves eastward to northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico and be at or near major hurricane strength when it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula midweek.  Hurricane watches could be issued as early as late today for portions of Florida.

There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and check back for updates to the forecast.

Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida Sunday and Monday well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This rainfall brings the risk of flash, urban, and aerial flooding, along with minor to moderate river flooding.

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone with interest in Florida should be preparing for this storm. It may become a hurricane later today.

 

6 Oct 2024 - 12:00 UTC ...NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT FINDS A STRONGER MILTON... ...RISK OF LIFE-THREATENING IMPACTS INCREASING FOR PORTIONS OF THE FLORIDA WEST COAST... As of 7:00 AM CDT Sun Oct 6 the center of Milton was located near 22.6, -94.9 with movement E at 5 mph. The minimum central pressure was 991 mb with maximum sustained winds of about 60 mph.

 

According to a recent update, the Tampa area may experience a direct hit for the first time in 100 years. Please remember there will be some tweaking of the path as we get closer. Everyone must heed the alerts and any potential orders to leave the area. It's path is being compared with Hurricane Ian's in 2022.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2023/01/09/hurricane-ian-destruction-in-florida/10938513002/#:~:text=EYE PATH REGION%3A Ian tore,at the Tampa Bay region.

 

Dennis Phillips is saying it now looks like the eye may come in south of Tampa Bay and hurricane force winds may only extend 10 miles from the center. It may be powerful, but it looks like it is going to be compact. And it will be moving fast when it hits the coast. The eye going south is a good thing for where we live. The storm surge is on the south side of the storm.

Any direct hit on Pinellas County will be devastating. We will definitely be evacuating to my sister's place. I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that if we get a direct hit. My place will be gone when I get home. 

The beaches cannot take another storm. From Pass-A-Grill to Tarpon Springs, the damage done from the storm surge of Debby is amazingly bad. They are talking as much as a decade to recover from Debby. Now here comes something worse. 

This will be very quick. Milton is now hurricane at the 1 pm update.  I'll post later.

Milton is forecast to be a major hurricane when it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula midweek. Users are reminded to not focus on the details of the forecast as there remains significant uncertainty in the eventual track and intensity of Milton. 

While it is too soon to specify the exact magnitude and location of the greatest impacts, there is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west 
coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning early Wednesday, and storm surge and hurricane watches will likely be issued tonight or early Monday.  Residents in the Florida Peninsula should follow any advice 
given by local officials and monitor updates to the forecast. 

Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida through Monday well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to Milton expected on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This 
rainfall will bring the risk of considerable flash, urban, and area flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.