Tropical Storm Milton has formed on a path across the Gulf of Mexico and is likely to bring hurricane-strength wind and rain to Florida by Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center reported Saturday. Forecast models suggest the storm will strike the western part of the Florida peninsula with flooding rain, a dangerous ocean surge and damaging winds.

Tropical Storm Milton continues to churn in the Gulf of Mexico and could pose a threat to Florida by the middle of the week. The National Hurricane Center forecast calls for Milton to eventually strengthen into a hurricane, possibly slamming Florida as a Category 3 storm.

Chances for development of a system moving into the Gulf of Mexico have dropped, but heavy rain is likely across Central and South Florida.