For once dropsonde even confirmed a lower pressure then was extrapolated at 911 mbar. NHC compromised the available wind data and came up with an intensity of 280 km/h (175 mph, 150 kts) for Milton on the latest advisory. Now the strongest Atlantic Hurricane Since Dorian (2019).
Recon investigating #Hurricane#Milton indicates yet further rapid intensification. The XTRAP pressure has dropped another ~10 mbar to 914.4. They also found unflagged SFMRs of 177 knots but FL winds "only" support around 140 knots at the moment. The truth may lie somewhere in between
Milton is approaching hurricane perfection rn. Waves are reverberating through the intense highly symmetrical CDO, while the pinhole eye contained within quickly approaches positive values. All the while intense eyewall lightning continues. A true Category 5 beast.
A recent TMS microwave image of Major Hurricane Milton shows once again a pibhole eye surrounded by a compact, well-developed and intense eyewall. Got a nice rainband going as well.
Air Force Hurricane Hunters investigating Major Hurricane Milton just found FL winds of 146 kts (131 kts SFC) and non-suspect SFMRs of 131 knots. XTRAP pressure down to 941.7 mbar. NOAA data is a bit less impressive but overall this data easily supports C4 intensity. This has now been made official.
M-PERC has reacted very strongly to this image and now predicts an approximately 75% chance that Milton will soon undergo an eyewall replacement cycle. If it had one now while conditions are still favourable, that could be bad news for folks in W Florida.
A SSMIS 91 Ghz MW color composite image of Major Hurricane Milton from about 2 hours ago shows a compact, robust & highly symmetrical inner core surrounding a pinhole eye. This is the structure of a healthy mature major hurricane poised for (further) rapid intensification.
Milton remains firmly on the gas pedal, featuring constant new deep convective bursts firing around the pinhole eye with a constant barrage of eyewall lightning. Recon found downconverted SFC winds of 115 mph. Consequently, NHC upgraded Milton to a major Hurricane.
Preliminary recon data for Hurricane Milton is indicating a further pressure drop compared to the last mission. Extrapolated pressure is now 978 mbar compared to 983 mbar about 5 hours. Pending dropsonde confirmation this indicates a pressure drop rate of 1 mb/hr.
