ORLANDO, Fla. – Hurricane Milton strengthened yet again to a Category 5 storm on Tuesday, though it’s not likely to stay at that strength for long.
Milton’s wind intensity is expected to weaken as it interacts with strong upper level winds to a Category 4 hurricane before directly impacting the Florida’s Gulf Coast near the Tampa Bay area. From there, it’s set to move across Central Florida before exiting into the Atlantic.
“The National Hurricane Center is still doubling down on that this could be the most powerful storm that West Central Florida has seen in its history,” News 6 meteorologist Candace Campos said following the 11 p.m. update.
Originally, Milton was forecast to potentially be at Category 2 by the time it reached Orlando. However, experts are now saying that it will likely be Category 1.
“(Vertical wind shear) is going to kind of infringe on this hurricane as it makes it closer to landfall,” News 6 meteorologist Samara Cokinos explained. “Will it weaken it a ton? No. But we’re looking at some drier air kind of helping that weakening process.”
But even as Milton weakens, its wind field has expanded to the point that tropical storm force winds were felt around 140 miles from the storm’s center.
“We have a pretty good chance of seeing those tropical storm force wind gusts — and even winds — across Central Florida with much of the area still in that 50-to-80-to-90% range,” Cokinos added.
To stay up-to-date on Milton’s push toward Florida, check back with ClickOrlando here.