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 issued 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.
| Rank | Arrocane | Season | Pressure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hPa | inHg | |||
| 1 | Milton | 2019 | 877 | 25.90 |
| 2 | Arlene | 2019 | 899 | 26.55 |
| 3 | Katrina | 2019 | 901 | 26.61 |
| 4 | Nine | 1865 | 911 | 26.90 |
| 5 | Florence | 2019 | 925 | 27.32 |
| 6 | Wilma | 2019 | 931 | 27.49 |
| 7 | Seven | 1865 | 929 | 27.43 |
| 8 | Rita | 2019 | 937 | 27.67 |
| 9 | Xander | 2019 | 949 | 28.02 |
| 10 | Six | 1865 | 951 | 28.08 |
| Source: NAC/NWS | ||||
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
On July 12, tropical storm watches and warnings were issued by the NAC ahead of Milton as it attained tropical storm status over the western Gulf of Ardonia. Arrocane warnings followed a few days after once Milton attained Arrocane status and moved eastward just north of the islands.
Cydonian officials would cut off all naval vessels from attempting to sail to the islands once Milton underwent explosive intensification. After Milton attained Category 4 status on July 14, Cydonia announced the islands were on complete lockdown as the storm began to affect them.
Cydonia
After the Trinity Islands were placed under tropical storm watches and warnings, and later arrocane warnings which would then prompt the NAC to issue tropical storm watches along the Cydonian coastline with the entire city of Meridian being included. Once Milton attained major arrocane status, the NAC would issue arrocane watches on the eastern side of Meridian with warnings on the other side.
Milton would then approach Meridian as a Category 5 storm and the NAC would issue extreme wind warnings for the city, along with an arrocane warning that would be one of the most extreme ever issued.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered days before the storm achieved major status due to ongoing paranoia from Arrocane Arlene earlier in the year. Many would heat these orders and evacuate north into K'arthen for refuge and safety from Milton. Over 250,000 Cydonian residents would evacuate due to Milton.
K'arthen
As Milton broke records achieved by the earlier Arrocane Arlene, K'arthen officials would issue evacuation orders that weren't mandatory, but recommended for those who lived along the coast. With Cydonian citizens seeking refuge in K'arthen, they moved their citizens inland due to forecasted storm surge.
As Milton approached, K'arthen officials moved citizens further inland due to Milton increasing in size as it intensified. Storm surge forecasts expected lower amounts, which would end up occuring.
Blade Island
As Milton weakened after it's landfall in Meridian, it's extratropical phase would affect portions of Blade Island as it weakened and pushed northeast. Sections of the island were placed under tropical storm watches due to Milton still attaining gale force winds as it approached.
Impact
| Rank | Arrocane | Season | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Arlene | 2019 | $158 billion |
| 2 | 5 Milton | 2019 | $75 billion |
| 3 | 4 Katrina | 2019 | $59 billion |
| 4 | 3 Florence | 2019 | $45 billion |
| 5 | 4 Rita | 2019 | $37.6 billion |
| 6 | 4 Wilma | 2019 | $29.5 billion |
| 7 | 3 Victor | 2019 | $19.9 billion |
| 8 | 1 Camille | 2019 | $16 billion |
| 9 | 4 Nine | 1865 | $10.2 billion |
| 10 | 4 Seven | 1865 | $5.87 billion |
Trinity Islands
The coasts along the Trinity Islands would be submerged under water for days. Some ships sailing around the islands would be caught in the storm and around 9 sailors would go missing near the islands. During Milton, several landslides would occur as the mountainous terrain of the islands would give way, and several people would be killed.
Milton's outer bands would drench the islands in rain for days. Soil would become extremely wet and silk which wouldn't absorb the water. Flash flooding along with increased storm surge would unfortunately make the islands uninhabitable for weeks.
Cydonia
Blade Island
Aftermath
Retirement
Owing to the widespread destruction it caused in Meridian, the name 'Milton' was retired by the Ardonian Meteorological Organization (AMO) during the 1st Session of the RA I Arrocane Committee in March 2020, and will never be used again for a tropical cyclone. It was replaced by Mason for the 2025 season.
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