ORLANDO, Fla. – Hurricane Milton continues to move through the Gulf of Mexico on a path toward Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane.
While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida.
As of 5 a.m., Milton is a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph. Milton had intensified quickly Monday, becoming a Category 5 storm at midday with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph before being downgraded.
A hurricane is considered a major hurricane when it reaches Category 3 status.
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The storm is moving east-northeast at 12 mph and is expected to approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, making landfall later that night. Forecast cones continue to encompass all of Central Florida.
Models show a combination of wind shear and some drier air impacting Milton before landfall, which will aid in weakening the storm slightly.
Regardless of the track, Central Floridians need to be prepared for hurricane conditions by Wednesday through Thursday.
Milton’s center could come ashore Wednesday in the Tampa Bay region, which has not endured a direct hit by a major hurricane in more than a century. Scientists expect the system to weaken slightly before landfall, though it could retain hurricane strength as it churns across central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean.
A hurricane warning has been issued for parts of Central Florida. Click here for updates on watches and warnings.
Central Florida counties have opened sandbag locations through the beginning of this week to prep for the storm. Click here to see the full list.
School districts and universities in the area have also announced school closures ahead of Milton. Click here to see responses and updates.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties ahead of Milton’s anticipated Gulf Coast landfall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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