Potential Hurricane Strike Along Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday

Tropical Storm Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to intensify into a hurricane before targeting Florida. Here is a look at this dangerous situation unfolding for the Sunshine State.

New Tropical Depression Forecast to Impact Florida

Tropical Storm Milton came together on Saturday morning, threatening Florida with heavy rain, flooding, storm surge, and high winds. Thunderstorms and rain showers have been igniting across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico in recent days. The newly formed storm is forecast to move across the exceptionally warm waters of the Gulf this weekend, eventually strengthening into a tropical storm on its way to a hurricane.

The latest forecast models indicate that the feature will make it to the designation of a Category 1 or 2 hurricane as defined by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The likely landfall location is forecast to be to the south of Tampa Bay, Florida. The feature is expected to come on shore Wednesday morning. The next name up on the list for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is Milton.

The greatest danger associated with this particular tropical weather event is predicted to be the torrential rain. The heavy rain bands are expected to fire up as early as Sunday and will linger through the middle of next week.

The feature will also generate rough surf conditions, dangerous seas, and high winds. Power outages and isolated tornadoes are also a possibility.

How much rain should Floridians expect? Widespread rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches are in the forecast for parts of central and South Florida. The Tampa and Orlando areas are forecast to pick up 8 to 12 inches of rain.

Several major metropolitan areas will be under the threat of urban flooding as storm drainage systems become overwhelmed by the magnitude of rain. Cities that should be prepared for flooding include Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Miami, Naples, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, and Melbourne.

Water levels are expected to surge quickly along the smaller streams and lakes in the region. It will take several days for the water to filter through the state's rivers.

High winds will also present concerns. Meteorologists are predicting that winds will eclipse the 100 mph mark at the point of landfall. The tropical storm-force wind speeds will whip around as far north as Jacksonville and as far south as the Florida Keys.

The feature will move to the east-northeast in the coming days as it churns through the Gulf. Low wind shear and water temperatures in the 80s will support the further intensification of this weather system.

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