NHC: Hurricane Milton rapidly intensifies into Category 5 storm on Monday. Track its path

Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on Monday with sustained winds reaching 160 mph, according to an 10:55 a.m. update by the National Hurricane Center. The system first developed Saturday as a tropical storm before strengthening into a Category 4 storm early Monday.

The hurricane is sweeping across the Gulf of Mexico, heading for a potentially devastating landfall along Florida's already storm-battered western coast.

The NHC issued hurricane watches for parts of Florida, warning that life-threatening storm surges, heavy rainfall, and destructive winds could overwhelm certain areas.

➤ Track all active storms

Where is Hurricane Milton right now?

According to the NHC's 10:55 a.m. weather advisory on Monday:

• Location: 125 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico
• Maximum sustained winds: 160 mph
• Present movement: East-southeast at 9 mph

When is Hurricane Milton going to hit Florida?

On the forecast track, Milton is forecast to move near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula Monday and Tuesday, then cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by Wednesday, the NHC said.

Hurricane Milton spaghetti models: See projected path

Hurricane tracker 2024: Hurricane Kirk, Hurricane Leslie and another tropical system

Texas weather watches and warnings

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city

— USA TODAY contributed to this report. The story was updated to correct a typo and add new information.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: NHC: Hurricane Milton rapidly intensifies into Category 5 storm on Monday. Track its path