Tropical Storm Milton to quickly strengthen to major hurricane towards Florida coast

ORLANDO, Fl - Update (10/6): Click here to see today's live updates script on Tropical Storm Milton. This story is no longer being updated.

Original story:

Tropical Storm Milton formed Saturday in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to quickly strengthen into a hurricane, and is expected to become a major hurricane – Category 3, 4, or 5 – before it reaches Florida's west coast midweek, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday night, and then a major hurricane as it continues across the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida's coast.

Florida's west coast could see life-threatening storm surge, flooding, torrential rain, and damaging winds, the NHC said. In Central Florida, depending on where Milton's eye makes landfall, torrential rain, flooding, damaging winds, and tornadoes are all possible, the FOX 35 Storm team said.

Where is Tropical Storm Milton?

Tropical Storm Milton was 365 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 860 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, according to the NHC's 11PM update.

It has sustained winds of 45 mph – about 5 mph higher than the earlier update. It's traveling northeast at 5 mph. The minimum central pressure is 1005 mb.

"An eastward to east-northeastward motion is forecast during the next couple of days, followed by a faster northeastward motion. On the forecast track, Milton is forecast to move across the Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by midweek," the NHC said.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).

Tropical Storm Milton tracker: Spaghetti Models

How will Tropical Storm Milton impact Florida?

Regardless of where Tropical Storm Milton makes landfall, Florida will likely see storm surge, torrential rainfall, flooding, and damaging winds.

Heavy rain is expected to impact Florida on Sunday and Monday, ahead of Milton's expected landfall. Additional rain is expected from Tuesday through Wednesday.

Potential risks include flash and urban flooding.

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