The rapid intensification of 70 mph during a 13-hour period over the steamy Gulf of Mexico puts Milton into the upper echelon of later-season tropical cyclones, approaching the Category 5 muscle of October 2018's Hurricane Michael and October 2005's Hurricane Wilma.

Milton is forecast to become a Category 5 hurricane later today, according to the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. ET update. The storm is currently located about 720 miles southwest of Tampa, Fla., and is expected to become a large hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Milton, already a monster Category 5 storm, continued to strengthen on Monday and now packs sustained winds of 175 mph as it remains on course to make landfall on Florida's west coast by Wednesday.