Milton intensifies into a category 4 Hurricane

The US National Hurricane Center says data from both Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Milton has strengthened to a category 4 hurricane. 

In a special update, the NHC said the maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 150 mph (240 km/h).   

Milton is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Data from the aircraft also indicate that the minimum pressure has fallen to 940 mb (27.76 inches). 

The NHC said at 8:05 am CDT, Milton was about 150 miles west of Progreso, Mexico and about 735 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida.