What time will Hurricane Milton hit land in Florida?

Hurricane Milton is expected to cause catastrophic damage with a risk of life-threatening flooding in Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach.

FILE PHOTO: A satellite image shows Hurricane Milton progressing before its expected landfall in Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico October 8, 2024.    CIRA/NOAA/Handout via REUTERS    THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY./File Photo
A satellite image shows Hurricane Milton progressing before its expected landfall in Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico. (Reuters)

Hurricane Milton closed in on Florida's west coast bringing spawning tornados and lashing the region with rain and wind hours ahead of its potentially 'catastrophic' landfall near Tampa Bay.

Millions of residents along a 300-mile stretch of coastline have been ordered to evacuate ahead of a life-threatening tidal surge of water to communities.

Authorities issued increasingly dire warnings on Wednesday as the hurricane drew closer.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has officially classed Milton as a category five hurricane – the highest level that can be reached - describing it as "catastrophic" and packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.

Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi said people who remain on the barrier islands in her county south of Tampa would likely not survive the projected 10- to 15ft storm surge. "If you choose to stay, make sure you have a life preserver handy," she said.

Cars drive east out of Naples, Florida, towards Miami on October 8, 2024, as Hurricane Milton approaches. Milton regained power on October 8 to become a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 kph) as it barrels towards west-central coast of Florida and is forecast to make landfall late October 9, according to the National Hurricane Center. (Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Cars drive east out of Naples, Florida, towards as Hurricane Milton approaches. (AFP via Getty Images)

Officials from president Joe Biden to Tampa mayor Jane Castor warned people in evacuation zones to get out or risk death. Biden warned leaving the area was a matter of “life and death”. He told Florida residents: “Evacuate now, now, now.”

Castor said there has “never been [a storm] like this”, adding: “This is literally catastrophic, and I can say without any dramatisation whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die.” Tampa police chief Lee Bercaw said: “We’ve never seen anything like this before. This is the storm of the century."

The expected path of Hurricane Milton, according to the National Hurricane Center. (Reuters)
The expected path of Hurricane Milton, according to the National Hurricane Center. (Reuters)

At 2pm ET (6pm GMT), the eye of the storm was 150 miles south-west of Tampa.

The NHC said Milton was expected to turn to the east-northeast and east on Thursday and Friday.

While a precise time the hurricane will hit landfall has still not been predicted, Milton is expected to reach the west coast of Florida at around midnight local time - 4am GMT.

A ’Pray for Orlando’ message is written on wood that was placed at a Home Depot before the arrival of Hurricane Milton, in Orlando, Florida. (Reuters)
A ’Pray for Orlando’ message is written on wood that was placed at a Home Depot before the arrival of Hurricane Milton, in Orlando, Florida. (Reuters)

West-central Florida is set to be the worst-hit by Milton. It is projected to make landfall between Tampa and Fort Myers, according to the NHC.

The agency said there is a "high risk of life-threatening flash and urban flooding" in the metropolitan areas of Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach.

On Tuesday night the NHC said Milton had “wobbled” to the south, prompting the forecaster to slightly alter its track. However, predictions can be off by as much as 60 miles when the storm is still over a day away. The hurricane is set to end up in the Atlantic Ocean after moving across Florida.

An LED signage truck with loudspeakers makes announcements informing residents of mandatory evacuations in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
An LED signage truck with loudspeakers makes announcements informing residents of mandatory evacuations in preparation for Hurricane Milton in Port Richey, Florida. (AP)
ANKARA, TURKIYE - OCTOBER 9: An infographic titled
Evacuation orders in Florida along the current path of Hurricane Milton. (Getty)

Milton is a category five hurricane – the most severe classification in the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Sustained winds of 157mph or higher must be reached for a hurricane to reach this category.

This level of hurricane can cause catastrophic damage, with a high likelihood of total destruction to buildings, severe flooding, and widespread power outages, according to the NHC.

Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable, and such hurricanes can lead to significant loss of life if proper precautions are not taken.

Hurricane Milton has rapidly grown into a category 5 hurricane. (Reuters)
Hurricane Milton has rapidly grown into a category five hurricane. (Reuters)

Milton has rapidly gained strength in just a matter of days and there are several factors that may be behind its category five classification.

Unusually warm ocean waters attributed to climate change have provided an abundant source of heat and moisture. As the storm winds form into a hurricane, they pull in energy from the warm surface waters. If the water is warmer, it provides more "fuel" for the hurricane to grow in strength.

This year is on track to have the warmest average global air temperature on record, which scientists say is a direct result of global warming - that means plenty of fuel for Milton.

A drone view shows a sailboat washed up on shore by Hurricane Helene siting on the beach of the Sarasota Bay, as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Sarasota, Florida October 8, 2024.  REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo
A drone view shows a sailboat washed up on shore by Hurricane Helene siting on the beach of the Sarasota Bay, as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Sarasota, Florida. (Reuters)

The atmosphere around Milton is also favourable for its development. There is low "wind shear", meaning the winds at different heights aren’t changing much. This allows the storm to maintain its structure and grow stronger without being disrupted.

Additionally, high-pressure systems nearby can help steer the hurricane toward areas with more heat and moisture, further fueling its intensity.