Tracking Monstrous Hurricane Milton, Kirk and Leslie | FOX 26 Tropical Weather Forecast

Hurricane Milton is the biggest story in the tropics as it has quickly blown up into a MONSTROUS Category 5 Hurricane in the SW Gulf of Mexico. It's forecast to hit Florida late Wednesday into early Thursday near Tampa Bay bringing life-threatening storm surge, a big flash flood threat and damaging winds that could be 100+ mph. It is forecast to weaken to a Category 3 Hurricane around the time of landfall. Another area is being monitored for a low 10% chance for tropical cyclone development just SE of Miami. Hurricane Leslie in the central Atlantic is expected to turn north and stay away from the U.S. Kirk has become post-tropical and is moving away from the United States.

Hurricane Milton threatens Florida coast | Fox 26 Houston Weather Forecast

As Florida faces yet another major hurricane threat, the Houston area is looking high and dry. Locally, we are going to have sunny and very warm days along with clear and cool nights. In fact, we should feel widespread upper 50s and low 60s by mid-week. Terrific! Sadly, a very rare hurricane named Milton could bring high winds and very dangerous storm surge for the Florida Gulf Coast by Wednesday. A state of emergency has been declared and mass evacuations from the coastline will take place. A direct hit close to Tampa is possible, but everyone is hoping for some weakening before landfall. In our extended forecast, even over the next two weeks, the outlook is very dry and after soggy, flooding conditions from late April through July, we are slipping back into drought mode all across our part of Texas.

Cold front brings cool air | FOX 26 Houston Weather Forecast

A cold front will move across Southeast Texas late on Monday bringing an increase in winds to start the week. These north winds will user in drier air and slightly cooler temps. Wake-up temperatures will drop in the 60s this week while afternoon highs will stay in the upper 80s. Hurricane Milton continues to intensify in the Gulf of Mexico as it moves towards Florida.

Watching Milton, cold front coming

The forecast remains quiet and dry for Southeast Texas. The afternoons will also remain warm for the next several days but a cold front will help make the overnights and mornings cooler. The drop in humidity behind the front on Monday will also help to make the evening pleasant for outdoor activities. Lots of activity in the tropics including the Gulf of Mexico with the newly formed tropical storm Milton. This system is expected to intensify quickly to a major hurricane but will not have direct impacts on Texas.

Tropical weather update: Potential Florida system and distant swells from Hurricane Kirk

Currently, 4 areas are being monitored in the Atlantic basin that could pose some problems. A trough of low pressure over the western Gulf of Mexico now has a MEDIUM 50% chance for tropical development. Models do show a possible system developing early next week and heading toward Florida bringing the threat of heavy rain. The next name on the list would be Milton. Hurricane Kirk and Tropical Storm Leslie in the central Atlantic should stay far away from the U.S. Kirk could bring large swells and a high rip currents risk to the U.S. East Coast by Sunday. Another tropical wave near the west coast of Africa has a low 30% chance for development over the next 7 days.

Annual Fat Bear contest, Helene relief efforts

In this episode of Forecasting with Friends, Chief Meteorologist Mike Iscovitz and meteorologist Allison Gargaro take a look at Helene search and rescue efforts. Also, Fat Bear Week is ready to kickoff for another year!

FOX 26 Houston Weather Forecast

We've made it to Friday and it's been a beautiful week that will end with some slight changes. Watch for some isolated showers and a possible storm today and tomorrow. The highest chances are closer to the coastline and south of Houston. The Gulf of Mexico will remain a mess all the way through next week with a broad area of low pressure and stormy weather and a good chance for a tropical depression or storm by Monday - Wednesday-ish. The system could bring heavy rain to Florida, but will be pushed away from Texas by a cold front that will bring us more lows in the 60s. Elsewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, Kirk because the season's third major hurricane and could eventually bring gusty winds to Western Europe next week.

FOX 26 Houston Weather Forecast

Warm temperatures will stick around through this week with a chance for some spotty showers the next few days. Best chance for rain will be near the coast. Tropical development is still possible with a medium 40% chance for a tropical depression or storm in the Gulf over the next 7 days. If it develops it will likely push towards Florida bringing heavy rain and a flood threat. Cold front will make its way through SE Texas late Monday and Tuesday bringing slightly cooler and drier air.

Watching Hurricane Kirk, monitoring Gulf of Mexico for development | FOX 26 Tropical Weather Forecast

We are still monitoring three different areas in the tropics. Kirk is a powerful Category three major hurricane in the central Atlantic. It should maintain hurricane status through early next week but is forecast to turn NE and stay out over water and away from the U.S. Tropical Depression 13 is now Tropical Storm Leslie in the eastern Atlantic. It is forecast to become a hurricane but should also stay out to sea and not impact land. Third area being monitored consists of disorganized showers and storms associated with a surface trough in the Gulf of Mexico. Right now there's a Low 30% chance that an area of low pressure could form and turn into our next tropical system over the next week. Models don't show a system rapidly developing. But they do show the threat for heavy rain increasing for the Florida Peninsula. The next tropical system would be named Milton. Keep checking back for the latest!