Hurricane Milton (2024)

Hurricane Milton was a powerful and devastating Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that made landfall in Florida in October 2024. It was the second-most intense hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico, only surpassed by Hurricane Rita in 2005.

Formation and intensification:
Milton originated as a tropical depression over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on October 5th, 2024 (Pt# 1 in image and chart below). It rapidly intensified, becoming a tropical storm within hours and a Category 1 hurricane just 24 hours later. This rapid intensification continued, with Milton reaching Category 5 strength with sustained winds of 180 mph and a minimum central pressure of 897 mb on October 7th (Pt# 21 in Image and Chart below). This made it the strongest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Rita and the fifth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record based on pressure.

Landfall and impact:
Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9th as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph (Pt# 48 in image and chart below). While it weakened slightly before landfall, it still brought significant storm surge, heavy rainfall, and damaging winds to the Florida coast. The storm caused widespread power outages, flooding, and structural damage. Nine tornadoes were spawned by Milton, a record for a Florida hurricane.

Aftermath:
After crossing Florida, Milton emerged over the Atlantic Ocean as a Category 1 hurricane and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 10th. Its remnants continued to move northward, passing near Bermuda before dissipating on October 12th.

Significance:

 • Intensity: Milton's rapid intensification and peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane highlighted the potential for powerful storms to develop in the Gulf of Mexico.

 • Timing: Occurring in October, Milton was a late-season hurricane, impacting a region still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which had struck Florida just weeks earlier.

 • Impact: Despite weakening before landfall, Milton caused significant damage and disruption in Florida, underscoring the destructive potential of even a Category 3 hurricane.

Active Cyclones

There are no active cyclones

2026 Atlantic
Cyclone Names

•Arthur •Bertha •Cristobal •Dolly •Edouard •Fay •Gonzalo

•Hanna •Isaias •Josephine •Kyle •Leah •Marco •Nana

•Omar •Paulette •Rene •Sally •Teddy •Vicky •Wilfred

2026 Eastern Pacific
Cyclone Names

•Amanda •Boris •Cristina •Douglas •Elida •Fausto •Genevieve •Hernan

•Iselle •Julio •Karina •Lowell •Marie •Norbert •Odalys •Polo

•Rachel •Simon •Trudy •Vance •Winnie •Xavier •Yolanda •Zeke

2026
Hurricane Season