(NATIONAL) — Hurricane Milton has spent the last several days rapidly intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane started out as just a tropical disturbance, but with the help of extremely warm waters and favorable wind shear, the system quickly gained Category 5 strength.
Hurricane warnings are present as of Wednesday evening up and down the Florida coast. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is warning for potential storm surge of up to 13 feet in certain areas. Winds gusting well over 100 mph will also be possible. However, the wind and flooding aren’t the only threats Floridians are having to deal with–Milton also brought a tornado outbreak to the region on Wednesday.
This particular (apparent) tornado, above, was reported in Clewiston, Florida on Wednesday afternoon. A broad circulation like this can’t technically be defined as a tornado until an associated circulation is spotted on the ground. However, from this angle, it appears the circulation may have extended all the way to the ground; confirmation from the National Weather Service will be needed in the coming days.
Data from the Storm Prediction Center shows that they have received over 20 tornado reports from the system.
As of Wednesday evening, Milton is expected to continue as a hurricane through the rest of Florida, even though it will be directly over land.
When tropical systems like Milton lose their access to water, they quickly weaken. The additional friction from the land also plays a big role in the loss of intensity. The hurricane should stay just close enough to water, however, to retain some of its strength while it pushes through central Florida.
