Hurricane Milton tracker: Follow projected path of Category 5 storm expected to hit Florida

Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm Monday as the storm is projected to threaten areas of the Florida Peninsula still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Milton quickly intensified Monday morning, growing from a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds estimated near 120 mph early in the day to a Category 5 storm with sustained winds near 160 mph by midday.

The storm is forecast to weaken before hitting the Florida coast later this week, but it's still projected to be a "large and powerful" hurricane once it makes landfall, the National Hurricane Center said midday Monday.

The hurricane center said an eastward to east-southeastward motion is expected through Monday night, followed by a turn toward the east and northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday. 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.

Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches, with localized totals up to 15 inches, are expected across portions of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night, the NHC said.

On Sunday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded a state of emergency to 16 more counties, meaning 51 of Florida's 67 counties are now part of the directive.

"A major hurricane is the most likely outcome," DeSantis said. "This is not a good track for the state of Florida."

Hurricane Milton live updates: Storm strengthens again, now a Cat 4 hurricane aiming at Florida

Hurricane Milton tracker

Hurricane Milton spaghetti models

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.

Hurricane Milton triggers watches, warnings for Mexico and parts of Florida

Milton has triggered various warnings and watches in Mexico and Florida as of Monday morning.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Gulf coast of Florida from Chokoloskee northward to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay and the Dry Tortugas.

A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf Coast from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast west of the Suwannee River to Indian Pass, and south of Chokoloskee to Flamingo. Additionally, a Tropical Storm Watch has also been issued for the Lower, Middle and Upper Florida Keys, including Florida Bay.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Milton tracker: Follow projected path of Category 5 storm expected to hit Florida