Hurricane Milton became Category 5 hurricane for the second time Tuesday afternoon

Hurricane Milton’s strength became a Category 5 hurricane for the second time on Tuesday afternoon, with maximum wind speeds reaching 165 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's 5 p.m. update .

Milton's intensity is expected to fluctuate as it moves further from the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, but the storm will be very dangerous at landfall .

As of Tuesday morning, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall along the west-central Florida coast in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night.

Vertical wind shear will likely cause Milton to weaken some before making landfall , but the National Hurricane Center expects it will remain an “extremely dangerous” hurricane when it reaches Florida.

Here’s the latest on Hurricane Milton.

Where is Hurricane Milton now?

Hurricane Milton is about 320 miles west-southwest of the Dry Tortugas, Florida, and about 480 miles southwest of Tampa. It’s moving east-northeast at about 9 mph.

Wind speeds are now about 165 mph, and further weakening is expected due to vertical wind shear.

Hurricane Milton 5 p.m. update

Hurricane Milton's reached Category 5 status again Tuesday afternoon. Its maximum wind speeds rose to 165 mph in the latest update.

A turn toward the east-northeast and northeast is expected today and Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Milton is forecast to move just north of the Yucatan Peninsula today and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula on Wednesday.

When will Hurricane Milton make landfall?

Hurricane Milton will make landfall along the west-central Florida coast in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night.

How strong will Hurricane Milton be when it makes landfall?

The National Hurricane Center says that Hurricane Milton will be an “extremely dangerous” hurricane when it makes landfall on Wednesday night. Its maximum wind speeds are 165 mph as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Hurricane Milton’s intensity will fluctuate through Wednesday, but an increase in vertical wind shear will likely cause some weakening before landfall.

Milton is still a relatively compact hurricane, but the wind field is expected to continue to grow in size as it approaches Florida. The official forecast shows the hurricane and tropical-storm-force winds roughly doubling in size by the time it makes landfall, according to the NHC.

Damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall will extend well outside the forecast cone.

The NHC says that impacted Florida residents should closely follow orders from their local emergency management officials as Milton has the potential to be “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.”

Hurricane Milton spaghetti models

Special note about spaghetti models: Spaghetti model illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

Storm tracker: Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton weather alerts, watches, warnings and mandatory evacuations

Evacuations are already underway in Florida as Hurricane Milton approaches.

• Sarasota County, levels A and B, manufactured communities and mobile and boat homes. Here's a list of Sarasota County hurricane evacuation centers .
• Pasco County, on the north side of the Tampa Bay area for zones A and B. The order also applies to anyone living in manufactured housing or an RV, as well as those low-lying or flood-prone areas. Voluntary evacuations will also go in effect for evacuation Zone C. Here is a list of Pasco County hurricane evacuation centers .
• Manatee County, evacuations ​start at noon today on Anna Maria Island, in Manatee County on the south side of Tampa Bay, as well as other areas of the county in zone A and those in mobile homes. A special needs shelter will also be opening for those who have pre-registered. If you haven’t registered yet, please do so at mymanatee.org/needs .
• City of Fort Myers Beach
• Pinellas ​County has issued a voluntary evacuation for anyone in zones A, B and C and mobile homes, ahead of what is expected to become a mandatory order.
• Hillsborough County has ordered evacuations for areas adjacent to Tampa Bay and for all mobile and manufactured homes by Tuesday night. You can find a list of Hillsborough County hurricane shelters here .

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Hurricane Milton became Category 5 hurricane for the second time Tuesday afternoon