(WGHP) – Hurricane Milton underwent rapid intensification, strengthening from a tropical storm to a category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours. Milton is located just west of the Yucatan Peninsula as of 12 PM Monday with winds of 160 mph. Life-threatening storm surge is expected along the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula as Milton continues to push eastward in the Gulf of Mexico.  By Tuesday, Milton will make a turn to the northeast and will begin its trek toward Florida’s Gulf Coast.  An incredibly favorable environment in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, including 85° water temperatures, has aided in Milton’s rapid intensification. As it turns northeastward, Milton will move into slightly unfavorable conditions due to wind shear in the eastern Gulf.  Surry County farmer using drone to deliver supplies to western North Carolina Despite the wind shear and unfavorable conditions, Milton is forecast to remain a major hurricane as it approaches Florida and landfall as a category 4 hurricane is expected.  Hurricane watches are in effect from Steinhachee to Everglade City, Florida. The west coast of the Florida Peninsula is forecast to see up to 12 feet of storm surge as well as six to 12 inches of rain and destructive winds of 70 mph or stronger.  Milton’s impact in North Carolina A cold front will move through the Tar Heel state on Monday bringing refreshing fall air to the Triad for the majority of this week. While this front is important to how our weather will be this week, it’s also important for “steering” when it comes to Hurricane Milton.  The cold front will push Milton away from North Carolina and will help steer the storm toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. A strong high pressure system is also forecast to settle in behind Monday’s cold front which is also working as a “shield”, protecting North Carolina from Milton.  Though we won’t see any rain in the Triad from Milton, some of the very far outer bands may reach the southern beaches of North Carolina’s coast on Thursday. However, less than a tenth of an inch of rainfall is expected.   No, the government is not seizing Chimney Rock; Rutherford County Emergency Management debunk social media rumors Rough surf, rip currents and beach erosion will be possible at the NC coast as Milton moves through Florida and into the Atlantic ocean.  North Carolina will remain dry as Milton impacts Florida but we could see some breezy conditions on Thursday with northeast winds gusting between 15 mph to 25 mph.