How Hurricane Milton Became a Category 5 Storm in Less Than 24 Hours

The storm is Hurricane Milton, which surged to Category 5 status this morning.

Milton was first classified as a hurricane Sunday at 2 p.m. Hurricane Milton approaches Floridas west cost just over a week after Hurricane Helene slammed into the states Big Bend.

Milton is the thirteenth named storm of the season, which doesnt end until November 30.

An infrared image of Hurricane Milton as a Category 5 storm.

An infrared image of Hurricane Milton as a Category 5 storm.Image: GOES-16 / NOAA / OIRA / Colorado State University

News from the future, delivered to your present.

Graphic: NOAA

Graphic:NOAA

A satellite image of Hurricane Milton over Florida.

Milton Floodwaters

Screenshot from an Instagram video taken by Florida Highway Patrol showing Trooper the dog tied up on October 9, 2024.

A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.

A huge tornado near Interstate 75 in Florida

Iv Fluids

Jblflip6

Eufysolocam

Alicia Witt in Urban Legend

Hp14

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media during a guided tour of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts before leading a board meeting on March 17, 2025 in Washington, DC.