(NEXSTAR) — Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on Monday, less than 24 hours after it formed. It became a Category 1 storm. In the Gulf of Mexico.
Milton is located about 1,115 miles west-southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 160 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an update Monday afternoon.
In the current model, Milton suggests doing the following Landing in or near Tampa,it is For the first time in a century, it was not hit directly by a hurricane..
But questions remain. When Milton makes landfall, will it still be a Category 5 storm?
If you know anything about hurricanes (or have watched live coverage of them), you may already know that Milton is expected to weaken before making landfall in Florida.
As of Monday afternoon, forecasts indicate that Hurricane Milton will likely become a major Category 3 storm once it reaches Florida. it is currently on track Jeff Berardelli, WFLA's chief meteorologist and climate expert, said it is expected to reach the state's coasts Wednesday evening, but either way it could take six to 12 hours.
Only four hurricanes have made landfall in the United States as Category 5 storms. NOAA record show:
- Labor Day in September 1935
- Camille, August 1969
- Andrew, August 1992
- Michael in October 2018
Hurricanes typically do not maintain Category 5 strength for more than a day. According to this, weather expertusually occurs during the eyewall replacement cycle, or when a new eye replaces the previous one. The storm may weaken in the process, but it can become stronger as a new eye forms.
As hurricanes reach colder oceans and land, and there is less warm ocean water to power them, the storms weaken, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). explain.
Video: Satellite video showing Hurricane Milton on Monday
“Thankfully, once [Milton] WFLA meteorologist Eric Stone said Monday after the storm reached Category 5 strength: “It won't get this strong because it's going to interact with the jet stream, so we're going to see some wind shear. Deaf,” he said. It's going to be a big hurricane as it approaches [Florida’s] west coast. “
Forecasters warned that 8 to 12 feet of storm surge could occur in Tampa Bay, and 5 to 10 inches of rain could cause flash flooding and river flooding in mainland Florida and the Keys. , said it could reach 15 inches in some places.
WFLA provides continuous coverage. Milton's progress, evacuation orderand more.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
