LIVE 12 PM UPDATE: Milton upgrades to a Category 5 Hurricane

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Milton has upgraded to a Category 5 storm, the National Hurricane Center said.

Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches are now in effect for parts of Florida.

Located about 715 miles west-southwest of Tampa, maximum sustained winds are 160 mph, as it moves toward the east-southeast near 9 mph. An eastward to east-southeastward motion is forecasted through Monday night.

Milton is expected to maintain intensity over the next couple of days, but will likely weaken as it gets closer to Florida. according to the NHC.

Heavy rainfall will begin to impact portions of Florida on Monday, with additional rainfall directly related to Milton later on Tuesday, through Wednesday night.

Watches and Warnings

Hurricane Warning

There are no warnings issued for Florida as of this time.

Hurricane Watch

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Chokoloskee northward to the mouth of the Suwanee River, this includes Tampa Bay.

Storm Surge Watch

A Storm Surge watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf Coast, this includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

Tropical Storm Watch

A Tropical Storm watch is in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast from Flamingo to south of Chokoloskee, north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass, and the lower, middle, and super Florida Keys, including Florida Bay.

Storm Surge

The water could reach the following heights due to storm surge:

• Anclote River, FL to Englewood – 8-12 feet
• Tampa Bay – 8-12 feet
• Yankeetown, FL to Anclote River, FL – 5-10 feet
• Englewood, FL to Bonita Beach, FL – 5-10 feet
• Charlotte Harbor- 5-10 feet
• Bonita Beach, FL to Chokoloskee, FL – 4-7 feet
• Suwanee River, FL to Yankeetown, FL – 3-5 feet

Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie

Hurricane Leslie is expected to weaken throughout the week as the system moves towards the northwest.

Located about 1065 miles west of Cabo Verde Islands, maximum sustained winds are 90 mph.

Hurricane Kirk is located about 765 miles west-northwest of the Azores and is almost an extratropical cyclone.

Kirk continues to bring large swells and rip current risks to the U.S. East Coast, according to the NHC.

Maximum sustained winds are 75 mph.

Watch Tracking the Tropics on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT.
Be prepared with the 2024 Hurricane Guide and stay ahead of tropical development with the Tracking the Tropics newsletter .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.