The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has revealed that Tropical Storm Milton escalated to hurricane status this Sunday, with conditions ripe for further intensification. In an interim advisory, the NHC reported that "Air Force hurricane hunters have detected that Milton is swiftly intensifying into a hurricane."
Experts have advised that those with interests in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and the northwestern Bahamas should closely monitor the progress of this cyclone. Additionally, they noted that "hurricane and storm surge warnings might be necessary for parts of Florida later today."
Cuba's Meteorological Institute (Insmet) also issued a bulletin indicating that Milton is the ninth hurricane of the current season and could reach significant intensity in less than 24 hours. Due to its projected path, which situates it north of the Caribbean island, this system is under close surveillance.
Milton's development has been rapid, having formed as Tropical Depression 14 last Saturday and strengthening in a matter of hours. As of this morning, Milton's eye was situated 1,385 kilometers (about 860 miles) west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, moving eastward at 7 kilometers per hour (approximately 4 mph), with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (about 59 mph), according to the NHC.
Florida's Governor, Ron DeSantis, commented today that although it's uncertain where Milton will make landfall, it's clear Florida will experience significant effects. "I don't see any scenario where we don't face substantial impacts at this point," he expressed with concern.