The storm, forecast to make landfall Wednesday evening in Florida, is now a Category 5 storm with sustained wind speeds of 160 mph.
The storm first strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane by 7 a.m. and by 9 a.m. ET rapidly intensified into a Category 4, the The NHC said in a 12 p.m. ET update data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated Milton strengthened into Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds at an estimated 160 mph with higher gustsSign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
On the current track, Milton is forecast to reach peak intensity Tuesday morning. However, it is forecast to weaken as it approaches landfall, which would be late Wednesday between 6 p.m. ET and midnight as a strong Category 3. "A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline," the agency said.
The Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning for the Yucatan Peninsula coast from Celestun to Rio Lagartos.
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