The threat posed by rapidly intensifying Hurricane Milton prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch for the west coast of Florida on Monday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Milton was located at latitude 21.8°N and longitude 92.9°W which put the center about 165 miles (265 km) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.  Milton was moving toward the east-southeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 945 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Celestun to Rio Lagartos, Mexico.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Chokoloskee to the Mouth of the Suwanee River, Florida.  The Hurricane Watch includes Tampa Bay.  A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Dry Tortugas.  A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Celestun to Campeche, Mexico.  A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Rio Lagartos to Cancun, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Celestun to Campeche, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Florida Keys.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Flamingo to Chokoloskee, Florida.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mouth of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass, Florida.

Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Monday morning.  A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) formed at the center of Milton’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  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.

Hurricane Milton was a small hurricane.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 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.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Milton is 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 11.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 34.7.  Hurricane Milton is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

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 30°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 could to strengthen to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale by Tuesday.

An upper level trough over the central U.S. will start to steer Milton more quickly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  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.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Flamingo to the Mouth of the Suwanee River, Florida.  The Storm Surge Watch includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Kirk was making an transition to a strong extratropical cyclone and Hurricane Leslie was spinning west of the Azores.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 40.2°N and longitude 41.0°W which put the center about 765 miles (1230 km) west-northwest of the Azores. Kirk was moving toward the northeast at 30 m.p.h. (49 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 966 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 40.4°W which put the center about 1065 miles (1720 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 980 mb.