Hurricane

The winds are coming to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Bradenton. Here are forecast speeds

David Parker, left, and Jesse Cuen put up plywood boards to the windows and doors at the High Class Ink Studios in Palm Bay, in Northeast Florida in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Oct. 8, 2024.
David Parker, left, and Jesse Cuen put up plywood boards to the windows and doors at the High Class Ink Studios in Palm Bay, in Northeast Florida in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Oct. 8, 2024. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

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As the buzz saw known as Hurricane Milton began batting at Florida like an angry cat Wednesday afternoon, spawning tornadoes as far south as Broward County, one question is: How windy will it get through the day?

Here’s what the National Weather Service forecasts for sustained winds and wind guests at select times of the day for Wednesday and Thursday.

Tropical storm force wind possibilities spawned by Hurricane Milton. Forecast for Oct. 9, 2024, from National Hurricane Center.
Tropical storm force wind possibilities spawned by Hurricane Milton. Forecast for Oct. 9, 2024, from National Hurricane Center. National Hurricane Center

KNOW MORE: Hurricane Milton live updates: What’s happening in Florida Wednesday as storm approaches

Miami area

Here are wind speed forecasts for Wednesday and Thursday in the Miami area.

Wednesday:

▪ 2 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 18 mph. Wind gusts: 31 mph.

▪ 4 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 21 mph. Wind guests: 33 mph.

▪ 5 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 22 mph. Wind gusts: 36 mph.

▪ 8 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 22 mph. Wind gusts: 37 mph.

▪ 11 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 24 mph. Wind gusts: 41 mph.

Thursday:

▪ 2 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 23 mph. Wind gusts: 40 mph.

▪ 5 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 23 mph. Wind gusts: 39 mph.

▪ 8 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 24 mph. Wind gusts: 40 mph.

▪ 11 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 28 mph. Wind gusts: 45 mph.

▪ 2 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 25 mph. Wind gusts: 43 mph.

▪ 5 p.m: Sustained surface wind speed: 26 mph. Wind gusts: 44 mph.

Fort Lauderdale area

Here are wind speed forecasts for Wednesday and Thursday in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Wednesday:

▪ 2 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 18 mph. Wind gusts: 30 mph.

▪ 5 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 21 mph. Wind gusts: 33 mph.

▪ 8 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 24 mph. Wind gusts: 43 mph.

▪ 11 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 28 mph. Wind gusts: 45 mph.

Thursday:

▪ 3 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 24 mph. Wind gusts: 44 mph.

▪ 6 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 24 mph. Wind gusts: 41 mph.

▪ 9 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 28 mph. Wind gusts: 45 mph.

▪ Noon: Sustained surface wind speed: 24 mph. Wind gusts: 43 mph.

▪ 3 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 25 mph. Wind gusts: 44 mph.

▪ 6 p.m: Sustained surface wind speed: 25 mph. Wind gusts: 41 mph.

Bradenton area

Here are wind speed forecasts for Wednesday and Thursday in the Bradenton-Tampa Bay area.

Wednesday:

▪ 3 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 26 mph. Wind gusts: 31 mph.

▪ 6 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 31 mph. Wind gusts: 39 mph.

▪ 9 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 41 mph. Wind gusts: 53 mph.

▪ Midnight.: Sustained surface wind speed: 75 mph. Wind gusts: 91 mph.

Thursday:

▪ 3 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 40 mph. Wind gusts: 47 mph.

▪ 6 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 33 mph. Wind gusts: 39 mph.

▪ 9 a.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 30 mph. Wind gusts: 38 mph.

▪ Noon: Sustained surface wind speed: 28 mph. Wind gusts: 38 mph.

▪ 3 p.m.: Sustained surface wind speed: 26 mph. Wind gusts: 38 mph.

▪ 6 p.m: Sustained surface wind speed: 28 mph. Wind gusts: 33 mph.

The north end of Anna Maria Island as Hurricane Milton approaches Manatee County on Oct. 8, 2024.
The north end of Anna Maria Island as Hurricane Milton approaches Manatee County on Oct. 8, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
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Howard Cohen
Miami Herald
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Miami Herald consumer trends reporter Howard Cohen, a 2017 Media Excellence Awards winner, has covered pop music, theater, health and fitness, obituaries, municipal government, breaking news and general assignment. He started his career in the Features department at the Miami Herald in 1991. Cohen is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Communication. Support my work with a digital subscription
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