Former Tropical Storm Milton rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Milton was located at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 94.0°W which put the center about 2905 miles (465 km) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.  Milton was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Celestun to Cabo Catoche, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Catoche to Cancun, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Milton intensified rapidly into a hurricane on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Milton’s circulation.  An eye was forming at the center of Hurricane Milton.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Milton.  Storms near the center of Milton’s circulation generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Milton increased as Milton rapidly intensified.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Milton’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Milton will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Gulf of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Milton will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Milton could continue to intensify rapidly.  Hurricane Milton is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Tuesday.

A small upper level trough over the northern Gulf of Mexico will steer Hurricane Milton slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  A larger upper level trough over the central U.S. will start to steer Milton more quickly toward the northeast on Monday.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Milton will reach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday.  Milton will be a major hurricane when it reaches Florida.

Hurricane Milton will be a major hurricane when it hits the west coast of Florida.  Milton will bring strong gusty winds and heavy rain to the west coast of Florida.  Milton will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to central Florida.  Milton will be capable of causing major damage.  Heavy rains will cause floods in some locations. Widespread electricity outages are likely.  Milton will also produce a storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) along the west coast of Florida.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie continued to spin over the Atlantic Ocean.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 35.6°N and longitude 47.7°W which put the center about 1155 miles (1855 km) west of the Azores.  Kirk was moving toward the northeast at 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 37.9°W which put the center about 910 miles (1465 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.