Milton has intensified and is close to regaining Category 5 status.

Milton has gained some strength on Tuesday afternoon, now exhibiting maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, just 2 mph below Category 5 status, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.

Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters discovered that Milton’s pressure is dropping while its winds are increasing. Satellite imagery shows that the eye has become significantly clearer, indicating that Milton is capitalizing on the exceptionally warm water and strengthening again.

The NHC cautioned that although fluctuations in intensity are anticipated, Milton is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane up until landfall in Florida.