TAMPA, Fla. — Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center predict Hurricane Milton will make landfall by the middle of the week on Florida's west coast.
However, the Tampa Bay region will start to feel the storm's effects Tuesday with conditions deteriorating overnight. By Wednesday, Milton's impacts will also include storm surge and damaging winds.
The timing and location of landfall are subject to change as forecasters continue to watch the hurricane. The cone is very large and encompasses all the way from the Big Bend region of the state down to Naples.
The Tampa Bay area could face a direct hit from the storm.
The arrival of tropical storm force winds to the Tampa region will arrive Wednesday morning, according to an advisory from the NHC. Heavy rainfall is expected later Tuesday through Wednesday night.
The storm grew into a major Category 4 hurricane within less than two days after it developed in the Gulf of Mexico. Milton comes less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene inundated the Tampa Bay region with storm surge, causing devastating flooding to coastal areas.
You can track the hurricane using the forecast cones and spaghetti models and keep up-to-date with the latest information on watches and warnings by clicking here.
