According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton developed from a Category 2 hurricane to a Category 5 storm in just a few hours on Monday, producing winds of 180 miles per hour. As of Tuesday morning, the storm was located about 560 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of about 155 mph and stronger gusts. According to the hurricane center, Milton is expected to turn toward the east-northeast and northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Meteorologists said the storm was expected to move near or north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Tuesday before crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approaching the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. According to the NHC, Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday evening.

“Milton poses an extremely serious threat to Florida and residents are urged to follow the instructions of local authorities,” the hurricane center said in a statement Tuesday morning.

Rainfall amounts of 5 to 12 inches and locally up to 18 inches are expected in the central to northern portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday, the NHC said Tuesday morning. Milton is also expected to bring rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches across the Florida Keys through Thursday.

Even before Milton’s arrival, a potentially deadly storm surge of 10 to 15 feet is possible for Tampa and other coastal communities Tuesday through Wednesday night, according to the NHC.

The forecast shows that Hurricane Milton is heading towards Florida

The meteorologist Dr. WeatherTiger’s Ryan Truchelut in Tallahassee is tracking Hurricane Milton before its collision with the Florida Peninsula.

Hurricane Milton Tracker: Hurricane Milton’s storm surge could pose a major problem for Tampa Bay

Hurricane Milton tracker

Hurricane Milton Spaghetti Models

The figures cover a range of forecasting tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center only uses the four or five best-performing models in its forecasts.

Featuring: John Bacon, Christopher Cann, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Jorge L. Ortiz and Michael Loria