Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on Monday night, raising questions about how strong it could become. The National Hurricane Center reported sustained winds reaching 180 mph, pushing Milton towards what meteorologists refer to as Maximum Potential Intensity (MPI), which is estimated at around 195 mph with an atmospheric pressure near 900 MB. By early Tuesday, on its path to Florida, the hurricane weakened to Category 4.
The Gulf of Mexico, warmed by record-high temperatures, has provided a conducive environment for Milton's growth, with little interference from land.
