(WGHP) — Hurricane Milton is churning in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico this morning, having reached Category 2 status at 5 a.m., producing 100 mph sustained winds.  It will be rapidly intensifying today, becoming a Category 3 by this evening, and becoming a Category 4 Hurricane by tomorrow morning.  Its forecast track takes it across the Gulf, reaching the west coast of the Florida peninsula Wednesday evening.  Before landfall, Milton will likely enter a less favorable environment, weakening to a Category 3 storm.  Storm surges are going to be a major threat to Tampa and Fort Myers.  Wind will be a major threat as far east as Orlando.  Stay with FOX8 for updates on Milton's track and intensity. Local Forecast A cold front is sliding through NC today, ushering in dramatic changes to the local forecast.  Today, we'll have sunny skies with highs near 80°. That's six degrees above normal.  Tomorrow, however, morning lows are going to dip into the mid-50s, and highs will top out in the lower-70s! That is going to be the new pattern for the remainder of the work week.  On Wednesday, highs are going to return to the lower-70s with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, and then sunshine takes over again on Thursday and Friday, with highs in the upper-60s.  You will probably need a jacket during the morning commute this week, because it will become quite chilly on Friday and Saturday mornings, in the mid-40s. Over the weekend, we'll start to warm up again under sunny skies.  Highs will return to the mid-70s Saturday, then rise to near 80° on Sunday.