Tropical Storm Milton 2024

Live tracking map, satellite images and forecasts of Tropical Storm Milton 2024 in the western Gulf of Mexico. Current wind speed 40mph. Max 115mph.

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 mid week.

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 areal flooding, along with minor to moderate river flooding.

Scatterometer data around midday confirmed that the circulation of the depression was well-defined, and it also revealed peak winds of 40 mph (35 knots). Based on that data, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Milton a few hours ago. The scatterometer data showed that the center was embedded within the area of cold cloud tops, but the area of tropical-storm-force winds was small. The overall structure has not changed much since that time, and the initial intensity remains 40 mph (35 knots) for this advisory.

Given that the system is still in its development stage, the initial motion is a somewhat uncertain 020/3 knots. Milton is not expected to move much through tonight, but it should begin to move eastward to east-northeastward on Sunday as a shortwave trough drops southward over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. On Monday, Milton should begin to track a little faster toward the east or east-northeast as it moves ahead of another mid-latitude trough approaching the southeastern United States. This trough is expected to cause Milton to further accelerate northeastward by Tuesday night with the center approaching the west coast of Florida. The overall track guidance envelope has nudged northward this cycle and it should also be noted that there remains large along-track or timing differences in the various dynamical models. The updated official forecast is slightly north of the previous track and is a little slower to be in better agreement with the latest multi-model consensus aids. Users are again reminded to not focus on the exact forecast track or timing at the longer range as the average NHC 4-day track error is about 150 miles.

Milton is within favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions for strengthening. The scatterometer data indicated that the radius of maximum was around 20 nautical miles, and with the expected low vertical wind shear conditions, steady to rapid strengthening appears likely during the next few days. The official intensity forecasts calls for Milton to become a hurricane in about 36 hours, and a major hurricane by 72 hours. The regional hurricane models continue to be quite aggressive in intensifying Milton. For now, the NHC intensity forecast is near the multi-model consensus aids, but upward adjustments could be required if the dynamical hurricane models continue their trends. Regardless of the exact details of the intensity forecast, an intense hurricane with multiple life-threatening hazards is likely to affect the west coast of the Florida Peninsula next week.