**Tropical Storm Milton Expected to Strengthen to Hurricane By Monday**

Tropical Storm Milton has emerged and is expected to intensify into a hurricane by Monday as it churns through the southwestern and central Gulf of Mexico. Infrared satellite imagery from Saturday afternoon captured Milton's development, hinting at its forthcoming impact.

Forecasts currently show that Milton may gain strength rapidly, potentially making landfall on Florida's west coast by midweek. While it's not projected to reach the size of the devastating Hurricane Helene, it’s still expected to pack a significant punch. Unlike Helene, Milton is not likely to affect the southern Appalachians, Georgia, or South Carolina.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami has cautioned that forecast tracks this far ahead typically have a margin of error of about 150 miles. As the storm evolves from a cluster of tropical thunderstorms that moved across Central America, the NHC has signaled that there could be a "rapid intensification" phase, potentially necessitating upward adjustments in the intensity forecast.

According to an 11 am ET update from the Hurricane Center, "The system could become a major hurricane while it moves across the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico." Preparations in Florida may need to start this weekend as Milton steers its path, hinting at the fierce nature of the storm despite its relatively smaller geographic reach compared to Helene.