Milton recently made headlines as it became one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. With wind speeds reaching a maximum of 180 mph, Milton joined an elite group of hurricanes that have exhibited such extreme strength.
Among Atlantic hurricanes, only five have been stronger than Milton. These include Allen in 1980 with winds of 190 mph, Dorian in 2019, Wilma in 2005, Gilbert in 1988, and the Labor Day hurricane in 1935, all with wind speeds of 185 mph.
Not only did Milton boast impressive wind speeds, but its pressure also dropped to a remarkable level of 897 millibars on Monday evening. The lower the pressure in a hurricane, the stronger the system tends to be. Since 1979, only three Atlantic hurricanes have recorded lower pressures than Milton, including Wilma in 2005 with 883 millibars, Gilbert in 1988 with 888 millibars, and Rita in 2005 with 895 millibars.
At its peak, Milton surpassed the most intense typhoons in the West Pacific, making it the strongest storm on the planet for the year. However, it's important to note that the West Pacific Ocean is known for hosting some of the most powerful storms on record, with the potential to exceed even Milton's impressive might.
