Hurricane Milton spawns ‘tornadic supercell’ in South Florida as effects begin rolling into region

Hurricane Milton’s long reach was already extending into South Florida, prompting multiple tornado warnings and six tornadoes in South Florida on Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center reported that Milton, which was still 190 miles southwest of Tampa, spawned a “tornadic supercell” at least one tornado on the ground near Alligator Alley in the Everglades.

A supercell thunderstorm is one that generates rotating updrafts that can grow into tornadoes.

The National Weather Service issued repeated tornado warnings for areas of South Florida, including parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties throughout the day.

By 2:52 p.m., meteorologist Sammy Hadi of the NWS said that 41 warnings had been issued throughout the region, with more likely.

By the afternoon, the NWS had visually confirmed seven tornadoes, mostly occurring along or near Alligator Alley (I-75) and north to areas around Lake Okeechobee.

There was also a potential tornado reported in Florida City and Homestead in Miami-Dade County.

“As we remain on the northeastern side of Milton today, additional tornadoes remain possible,” the National Weather Service in Miami wrote on X. “Stay alert!”

This map shows the 41 tornado warnings that the National Weather Service issued Wednesday through 2:52 p.m. Each red quadrangle represents a separate tornado warning. (Courtesy NWS)
This map shows the 41 tornado warnings that the National Weather Service issued Wednesday through 2:52 p.m. Each red quadrangle represents a separate tornado warning. (Courtesy NWS)

A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 10 miles east of Holey Land Wildlife Refuge, or 17 miles southeast of Belle Glade, moving north at 30 mph.

A tornado watch has been issued for all of South Florida through 9 p.m. Wednesday (Courtesy NWS)
A tornado watch has been issued for all of South Florida through 9 p.m. Wednesday (Courtesy NWS)

During tornado warnings, “flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” the weather service warned. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

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At about 10 a.m., the National Weather Service posted footage of the tornado heading north near Alligator Alley just east of Big Cypress Wildlife Management area.

Milton was weakening slightly late Wednesday morning, down to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 145 mph. At the same time, the storm’s wind field was expanding. By the time it makes landfall shortly after midnight, much of the state will be caught up in its damaging effects.

The weather service said in its warnings that the tornado threat to South Florida would remain well into Thursday as Milton exits the east coast near Melbourne.

Aside from tornadoes, tropical-storm force winds are possible in the region. Palm Beach County could see sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts from 50 to 60.

Broward and Miami-Dade counties could see sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts from 40 to 50.

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