Hurricane Milton: From Category 5 Fury to Eyewall Replacement Cycle – A Visual Journey
Hurricane Milton was a monstrous Category 5 hurricane just yesterday, boasting peak winds of 180 mph. However, it began to lose some strength overnight as it entered an eyewall replacement cycle, a phenomenon that is common in exceptionally strong hurricanes.
This cycle occurs when the powerful eyewall—where the storm’s most intense winds are found—can no longer sustain its maximum strength and begins to weaken. As a result, the hurricane reforms a new, larger eyewall, which can lead to renewed intensification.
In the video loop below, you can observe Milton’s small “pinhole” eye at the beginning, which ultimately deteriorates as the storm undergoes this critical transition
Hurricane Milton’s Eyewall Replacement: A Shift from Cat 5 to Cat 4 and What It Means for the Storm’s Power
Over a matter of hours, Hurricane Milton’s original eyewall has been replaced by a newer, larger eyewall, which poses an increased threat as it extends its reach over a wider area.
According to the National Hurricane Center, these eyewall replacement cycles “often cause the peak winds to fluctuate, while the wind field generally expands.” This pattern has played out with Milton since Monday night, as the hurricane weakened from a Category 5 to a Category 4. However, this morning, the tropical storm-force winds began to expand as the storm’s eye attempted to reconsolidate.
Once the new eyewall stabilizes, Milton could restrengthen and potentially even surpass its previous peak strength, making it a storm to watch closely as it continues to evolve.
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