Warm Gulf waters fueling Milton’s rapid intensification
Systems that form in the Gulf of Mexico tend to be stronger and intensify quicker than the storms that stay out in the Atlantic and make landfall on the East Coast, this is because of the warmer water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Current water temperatures are running above normal for this time of year, fueling the storm and allowing it to strengthen very quickly. Milton went from 60 mph sustained winds up to 85 mph in a matter of hours earlier Sunday.
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER UPDATE:
Milton is forecast to be a major hurricane when it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by midweek. 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. Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches will likely be issued 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 Monday well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wed. night.
This rainfall brings the risk of considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.
Tropical storm conditions are expected with hurricane conditions possible beginning Monday across portions of the northern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect.
The Atlantic Hurricane season runs through the end of November
The six-month hurricane season in the Atlantic officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, however, hurricanes can and do occur outside of this period. In the East Pacific, the hurricane season runs from May 15 to Nov. 30. In the western North Pacific, the typhoon season runs from July 1 to Dec. 15. While the seasons ropical cyclones can occur year-round in any basin.