Tag Archives: Azores

Gabrielle Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Gabrielle intensified to a hurricane southeast of Bermuda on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Gabrielle was located at latitude 28.5°N and longitude 61.7°W which put the center about 320 miles (515 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Gabrielle was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 992 mb.

NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft conducting research flights into former Tropical Storm Gabrielle found that Gabrielle had intensified to a hurricane on Sunday afternoon.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hurricane Gabrielle.  A small eye appeared on microwave satellite imagery at the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Gabrielle.  Storms near the center of Gabrielle generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Hurricane Gabrielle.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the eastern side of Hurricane Gabrielle.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the western half of Gabrielle’s circulation.

Hurricane Gabrielle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move in the region between an upper level low south of Bermuda and an upper level trough near the east coast of the U.S.  The upper level winds are weak between the upper level low and the upper level trough.  So, there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Gabrielle will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle could intensify rapidly at times.

Hurricane Gabrielle will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gabrielle toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Gabrielle will pass east of Bermuda on Monday.  Gabrielle could approach the Azores by late next week.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle Strengthens

Tropical Storm Gabrielle strengthened on Saturday as it moved over the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Bermuda.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gabrielle was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 59.0°W which put the center about 580 miles (935 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Gabrielle was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle strengthened on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  A small eye was visible intermittently at the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Gabrielle.  Bands in the southern and western parts of Gabrielle’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Gabrielle generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Gabrielle continued to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the eastern side of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles in the western side of Tropical Storm Gabrielle.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low that is south of Bermuda.  The upper level low will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Gabrielle will intensify during the next 24 hours. Gabrielle is likely to strengthen to a hurricane on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gabrielle toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gabrielle will pass east of Bermuda on Monday.  Gabrielle could approach the Azores by late next week.

Tropical Storm Andrea Forms over the Central Atlantic

Tropical Storm Andrea formed over the Central Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Azores on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Andrea was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 48.9°W which put the center about 1205 miles (1940 km) west of the Azores.  Andrea was moving toward the east-northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1014 mb.

Thunderstorms persisted in parts of a low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Azores and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Andrea on Tuesday morning.

Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Andrea.  Bands in the southern half of Andrea’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and low clouds.

Tropical storm force winds extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Andrea.  The winds in the other parts of Andrea’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Andrea will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification of a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.  Andrea will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low over the Central Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level low will produce strong westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Andrea’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  Strong vertical wind shear and cool Sea Surface Temperatures are likely to cause Tropical Storm Andrea to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Andrea will move around the northern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Central Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Andrea toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Andrea will move toward the Azores.

Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Jamaica, Hurricane Watch for Cayman Islands

The threat posed by a low pressure system over the Southwestern Caribbean Sea prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning for Jamaica and a Hurricane Watch for the Cayman Islands on Sunday afternoon.  The low pressure system was designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen by the U.S. National Hurricane Center.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 77.1°W which put the center about 345 miles (555 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica.  The low pressure system was moving toward the northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Jamaica.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigated a low pressure system over the Southwestern Caribbean Sea on Sunday afternoon.  The aircraft found that there was a distinct low low level center of circulation in the low pressure system.  More thunderstorms were forming near the center of the low pressure system.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were starting to revolve around the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen.  Storms near the center of the low pressure system began to generate upper level divergence.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the low pressure system.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen will intensify during the next 24 hours.  It is likely to become a tropical storm on Monday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen will reach Jamaica on Monday night.  It could reach the Cayman Islands on Tuesday afternoon.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen will bring strong winds and heavy rain Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, Subtropical Storm Patty moved east of the Azores.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Subtropical Storm Patty was located at latitude 37.3°N and longitude 22.3°W which put the center about 280 miles (450 km) east-southeast of Lajes, Azores.  Patty was moving toward the east at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Subtropical Storm Patty Moves Across the Azores

Subtropical Storm Patty was moving across the Azores on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Subtropical Storm Patty was located at latitude 37.9°N and longitude 27.8°W which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) south-southwest of Lajes, Azores.  Patty was moving toward the east at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Azores.

Subtropical Storm Patty strengthened a little as it approached the Azores on Saturday.  However, Patty appeared to be starting to weaken on Saturday night.  The distribution of thunderstorms started to look a little more asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern part of Patty’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and western parts of Subtropical Storm Patty consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Subtropical Storm Patty remained large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (325 km) in the southern side of Patty’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Subtropical Storm Patty.

Subtropical Storm Patty will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Patty will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 21°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level low.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Patty’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Subtropical Storm Patty is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Subtropical Storm Patty toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Subtropical Storm Patty will continue to move across the Azores during the next 12 hours,  Patty will move east of the Azores later on Sunday.

Subtropical Storm Patty will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Azores during Saturday night and Sunday.  Strong winds could cause localized damage and electricity outages.

 

Subtropical Storm Patty Forms, Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Azores

Subtropical Storm Patty formed over the North Atlantic Ocean on Saturday morning and a Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the Azores. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Subtropical Storm Patty was located at latitude 39.9°N and longitude 34.4°W which put the center about 426 miles (675 km) west-northwest of the Azores.  Patty was moving toward the east-southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Azores.

A low pressure system at the center of an old occluded extratratropical cyclone over the North Atlantic Ocean was designated as Subtropical Storm Patty by the U.S. National Hurricane Center on Saturday morning.  The circulation around Subtropical Storm Patty was symmetrical.  A clear area like an eye was at the center of Patty’s circulation.  The clear area was surrounded by a ring of showers and low topped thunderstorms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Subtropical Storm Patty.

The circulation around Subtropical Storm Patty was large, since Patty formed at the center of an old occluded extratropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (330 km) in the southern side of Patty’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Subtropical Storm Patty.

Subtropical Storm Patty will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Patty will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 21°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level low that was part of the old occluded extratropical cyclone.  The upper level low will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Patty’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Subtropical Storm Patty could intensify a little during the next 24 hours, but it is likely to start to weaken on Sunday.

The upper level trough will steer Subtropical Storm Patty toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Subtropical Storm Patty will reach the western Azores on Saturday night.  Patty will move across the Azores on Sunday.

Subtropical Storm Patty will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Azores during Saturday night and Sunday.  Strong winds could cause localized damage and electricity outages.

Hurricane Milton Moves Away From Florida

Hurricane Milton moved eastward over the Atlantic Ocean away from Florida on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Milton was located at latitude 29.1°N and longitude 78.5°W which put the center about 135 miles (220 km) east-northeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida.  Milton was moving toward the east-northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 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. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Sebastian Inlet, Florida to Edisto Beach, South Carolina.   A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the extreme Northwestern Bahamas including Grand Bahama Island, and the Abacos.

Hurricane Milton was making a transition to an extratropical cyclone as it moved away to the east of Florida on Thursday morning.  A warm front was forming in the eastern part of Milton’s circulation.  A cold front was forming to the south of the center of Hurricane Milton.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern sides of Milton’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and western parts of Hurricane Milton consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The transition to an extratropical cyclone was also causing the distribution of wind speeds around Hurricane Milton to become more asymmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Milton’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Milton will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  However, an upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will produce strong westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Milton’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear will cause Hurricane Milton to complete a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will steer Hurricane Milton toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Milton will move quickly away from Florida.  Milton could affect Bermuda on Friday as an extratropical cyclone.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Leslie started to weaken.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 23.2°N and longitude 50.4°W which put the center about 1715 miles (2765 km) west-southeast of the Azores.  Leslie was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

Milton Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

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.

Tropical Storm Milton Strengthens Over the Western Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Milton strengthened over the western Gulf of Mexico on Sunday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Milton was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 94.9°W which put the center about 345 miles (560 km) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.  Milton was moving toward the east at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

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

Tropical Storm Milton was intensifying on Sunday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of Milton’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Milton.  Storms near the center of Milton generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Milton was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Milton’s circulation.

Tropical Storm 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.  Tropical Storm Milton is likely to intensify to a hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Milton is also likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Tuesday.

A small upper level trough over the northern Gulf of Mexico will steer Tropical Storm 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, Tropical Storm Milton will reach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday.  Milton is likely to be a major hurricane when it reaches Florida.

Tropical Storm Milton is likely to 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 churn over the Atlantic Ocean.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 33.5°N and longitude 49.0°W which put the center about 1270 miles (2040 km) west of the Azores.  Kirk was moving toward the north at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 37.3°W which put the center about 875 miles (1405 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Milton Forms Over Western Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Milton formed over the western Gulf of Mexico on Saturday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Milton was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 95.3°W which put the center about 365 miles (590 km) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.  Milton was moving toward the north-northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).   The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

A low pressure system over the western Gulf of Mexico strengthened on Saturday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Milton.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Milton was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Milton’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Milton consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Milton’s circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm 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.  Tropical Storm Milton will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Milton is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by early next week.

Tropical Storm Milton will move around the western end of a high pressure system that extends over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Milton slowly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  An upper level trough over the central U.S. will steer Milton more quickly toward the east-northeast early next week.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Milton will approach the west coast of Florida on Tuesday night.

Tropical Storm Milton is very likely to be a hurricane when it approaches the west coast of Florida.  Milton could be a major hurricane.

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

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 27.6°N and longitude 50.3°W which put the center about 1525 miles (2455 km) west-southwest of the Azores.  Kirk was moving toward the north at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 11.1°N and longitude 35.4°W which put the center about 785 miles (1260 km) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.