The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for tropical storm conditions expected to affect various regions in the coming days. The west coast of Florida is anticipated to experience these conditions by midday Wednesday, with the effects spreading across the peninsula and reaching the east coast by nightfall.
On Thursday, tropical storm conditions are forecasted for portions of the northwestern Bahamas, with the possibility of impacting the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina as well.
Notably, Hurricane Milton has seen an expansion in its tropical storm-force winds, which now extend 140 miles from the center, up from 80 miles just a day ago. This trend is expected to persist as the storm approaches landfall, bringing tropical storm-force winds to a significant portion of the Florida Peninsula.
As Milton approaches, conditions in Florida are expected to deteriorate throughout Wednesday, becoming widespread by midday. Some areas may experience hurricane conditions starting Wednesday evening through early Thursday, with the potential for such conditions in other regions on Thursday.
As of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center at 2 a.m., Hurricane Milton remains a powerful Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 160 mph. The storm is currently positioned about 360 miles southwest of Tampa, moving northeast at a speed of 12 mph.
Aside from the strong winds, heavy rainfall is also a significant concern for Florida residents. Flood watches are in effect for nearly 20 million people, with expected rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches and isolated totals of up to 18 inches across central to northern Florida through Thursday.
