The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released dramatic satellite footage of Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Florida, showcasing the storm’s immense power from a cosmic perspective. The footage, released on Thursday, shows the storm’s growing mass over the southeastern US state, with intense lightning activity visible that illuminates its center.
Milton struck Florida’s west coast near Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday, producing a striking image of its eye surrounded by dense clouds stretching for hundreds of miles. Satellite views highlight the storm’s widespread impact on a wide area of Florida and neighboring states.
The caption reads, “This imagery from NOAA’s GOES-East provides visible cloud imagery every 30 seconds of Hurricane Milton as it approaches Florida. Repeated lightning strikes were also detected by the satellite’s GLM instrument. Could.”
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One of the most fascinating aspects of the imagery is the lightning flashes repeatedly seen in southern Florida, where several tornadoes formed during the storm’s passage. This mesmerizing light show within the storm system highlights the extreme weather conditions experienced over land.
Milton moved across central Florida on Thursday, leaving a trail of destruction. With winds of up to 120 mph on land, the storm caused widespread damage, uprooting trees, destroying homes, and leaving nearly 2 million people without power across the state.
Meteorologists and emergency management officials are monitoring satellite data to track Milton’s trajectory and intensity. This information is critical for issuing timely alerts and coordinating emergency response efforts.
Although Milton has since weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, it continues to pose serious risks as it moves inland.
