Arrocane Milton
 Milton at it's record peak intensity over the Gulf of Ardonia on July 14 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 11, 2019 |
| Extratropical | July 18, 2019 |
| Dissipated | July 20, 2019 |
| Category 5 major arrocane | |
| 1-minute sustained (AAWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 195 mph (314 km/h) (Fastest 1-minute sustained winds ever recorded) |
| Lowest pressure | 877 mbar (hPa); 25.90 inHg (Worldwide record low) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 437 (Second-deadliest tropical cyclone on record) |
| Injuries | 2,953 |
| Missing | 9 |
| Damage | $75 billion (2019 AC) (Second-costliest tropical cyclone on record) |
| Areas affected |
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| Part of the 2019 Ardonia arrocane season | |
Arrocane Milton was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone which in 2019, became the strongest, and most intense ever recorded in the basin. Milton made 2 devastating Category 5 landfalls in Meridian, Cydonia, 2 months after the devastating Arrocane Arlene tore through the city 2 months prior. The thirteenth named storm, eighth arrocane, fifth major arrocane, and the third and final Category 5 arrocane of the 2019 Ardonia arrocane season.
Milton originated from a long-lived tropical wave that originated over the Gulf of Ardonia on July 10, and would consolidate on July 11. Intensification occurred shortly after it's formation as it moved over very warm waters within the Gulf of Ardonia. Milton would intensify into a Category 1 arrocane by July 14, and underwent explosive intensification soon after, and would become a Category 5 arrocane with 1-minute sustained winds of 175 mph (282 km/h) just 12 hours later. At peak intensity, Milton had a central pressure of 877 millibars (25.90 inHg) and 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 195 mph (314 km/h), making it the strongest (windspeed), and most intense (pressure) arrocane on record in the entire world. Milton would weaken for a short period of time due to an eyewall replacement cycle which lasted 12 hours. After the cycle, Milton would again strengthen to Category 5 status and reach 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 185 mph (298 km/h) which would pass Arrocane Arlene for a second time. After it's second peak, Milton would speed up as it approached Meridian and weaken due to increased wind shear. Milton would make 2 separate landfalls in Meridian at Category 5 intensity with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 165 mph (266 km/h) each, and minimum central pressures of 919 millibars (27.14 inHg) and 920 millibars (27.17 inHg) respectively.
As Milton would undergo it's explosive intensification, the NAC (National Arrocane Center) in Ataraxia would issue extensive warnings and advisories for the incoming arrocane. There were Arrocane Warnings several days before Milton would approach Cydonia. The NAC mentioned in their advisories that Milton could be similar in ways of Arlene just months prior. Preparations would take hold all over Cydonia, the Trinity Islands, Blade Island, and some locations within K'arthen. Arrocane Milton killed at least 437 people, and injured nearly 3,000 others. The damage total was calculated at around $75 billion.
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (40–74 mph, 64–120 km/h)
Category 1 (75–94 mph, 121–152 km/h)
Category 2 (95–114 mph, 153–184 km/h)
Category 3 (115–129 mph, 185–209 km/h)
Category 4 (130–159 mph, 210–259 km/h)
Category 5 (≥ 160 mph, ≥ 260 km/h)
Unknown
Tropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe NAC (National Arrocane Center) outlined a tropical wave over the western Gulf of Ardonia on July 11 after existing as an area of interest a day before on July 10. It would begin as an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms that produced heavy rain and waterspouts on July 10 before fully consolidating into a tropical wave on July 11. Due to low vertical wind shear, and super warm water temperatures within the Gulf of Ardonia, this tropical wave would organize quickly within the next 3 days, and would reach tropical storm status on July 12, receiving the name 'Milton' from the NAC. Milton would begin as a relatively small system and move slowly and erratically through the western region of the Gulf of Ardonia as a tropical storm before intensifying and moving due east. As Milton made this easterly jog, it began to intensify faster, as it would also grow in size.
Milton would attain arrocane status on July 14 with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 75 mph (121 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 986 millibars (29.12 inHg). After reaching arrocane strength, Milton would begin a process known as explosive intensification as it's forward speed would slow down slightly. In 12 hours, Milton became a monster Category 5 arrocane with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 175 mph (282 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 895 millibars (26.43 inHg), which would surpass the earlier Arrocane Arlene for the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded. Just 6 hours later however, Arrocane Hunters would discover that Milton has intensified even further with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 195 mph (314 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 877 millibars (25.90 inHg), which would then surpass Arlene for the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded and continue to lower it's pressure record. Milton would set 4 new records during this time, including being the strongest (windspeed), most intense (pressure), fastest intensification, and to have the smallest eye (2.2 mi) ever recorded.
After it's record peak, further intensification was halted by an eyewall replacement cycle which would occur on July 14. The storm would weaken to Category 4 status during this time with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 926 millibars (27.34 inHg). Early the next morning on July 15, Milton would complete it's eyewall replacement cycle and restrengthen to a Category 5 arrocane and would again, explosively intenisfy. With low-level shear being super low and the continued area of warm water over the eastern Gulf of Ardonia, Milton would achieve a second peak with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 185 mph (298 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 900 millibars (26.58 inHg), which would surpass Arlene again for windspeed. Shortly after it's second peak, Milton would begin to weaken as it crawled towards Meridian with increased shear and a little colder waters near the Cydonian coastline. Milton's eye would become cloud-filled as it passed closely to the island of Po'Hatu of the coast of Cydonia. Wind shear would amount to 40–45 mph (64–72 km/h) as it continued to approach Meridian which would batter the storm, and it would weaken as it made landfall with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 165 mph (266 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 919 millibars (27.14 inHg). A second landfall on Meridian would be similar intensity, but with a pressure of 920 millibars (27.17 inHg). After making landfall, Milton would weaken as fast as it strengthened, with wind shear values near 45–50 mph (72–80 km/h) and colder waters of the eastern Ardonian Ocean would severely affect the storms progress. Milton would become an extratropical cyclone on the morning of July 18, and would dissipate on July 20.
Preparations
Trinity Islands
Cydonia
K'arthen
Blade Island
Impact
Trinity Islands
Cydonia
Blade Island
Aftermath
Retirement
Records
| Rank | Arrocane | Season | Windspeed (MPH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Milton | 2019 | 195 mph (314 km/h) |
| 2 | 5 Arlene | 2019 | 180 mph (290 km/h) |
| 3 | 5 Katrina | 2019 | 175 mph (282 km/h) |
| 4 | 5 Nine | 1865 | 165 mph (266 km/h) |
| 5 | 4 Florence | 2019 | 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| 6 | 4 Seven | 1865 | 145 mph (233 km/h) |
| 4 Wilma | 2019 | ||
| 8 | 4 Rita | 2019 | 140 mph (230 km/h) |
| 9 | 3 Six | 1865 | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
| 3 Xander | 2019 |
Milton broke a total of 6 records in the Ardonian basin, mainly for strength and intensification. Those that are listed in RED have been broken, or tied with other storms:
- Strongest sustained winds on record (195 mph)
- Lowest pressure on record (877 mbar)
- First M-named storm to reach category 1+ strength
- Longest duration of Category 5 intensity (30 hours) Tied with Arlene
- Smallest observed eye diameter (2.2 mi)
- Fastest intensification: 120 mph increase and 109 mbar drop in 24 hours