A storm system that was brewing in the Gulf of Mexico strengthened into Tropical Storm Milton on Saturday, and forecasters warned that it could intensify into a hurricane and slam into the west coast of Florida next week.

Odds are now high that a system developing in the Gulf of Mexico could become a tropical depression or storm before it makes its way to Florida next week, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of the NHC’s 8 p.

The National Hurricane Center warned Saturday that newly formed Tropical Storm Milton could become a major hurricane before it hits Florida next week. The NHC said in a special 1:25 p.m. update what had been Tropical Depression Fourteen had grown into a tropical storm with 40 mph sustained winds as it moved north-northeast at 3 mph located about 220 miles north-northeast of

The National Weather Service in Tampa said rain could pose a risk for inland flooding because the area is already saturated.

Tropical Depression 14 formed into Tropical Storm Milton in the Gulf of Mexico Saturday afternoon and is likely to rapidly strengthen into an “intense hurricane” that will begin to impact Florida late this weekend and into next week,