- 14 September: A tropical wave moves off the west coast of Africa.
- Early October (Date unspecified): This tropical wave appears to have interacted with a pre-existing low-level trough west of the Cabo Verde Islands, contributing to Milton's genesis.
- 04 / 1800 UTC: Best track indicates the system is a low with a central pressure of 1009 mb and wind speeds of 30 kt, located at 21.0°N 94.6°W.
- 05 / 1200 UTC: The system strengthens into a tropical depression with a central pressure of 1008 mb and wind speeds of 30 kt, located at 22.0°N 95.5°W.
- 05 / 1800 UTC: The tropical depression intensifies into Tropical Storm Milton with a central pressure of 1006 mb and wind speeds of 35 kt, located at 22.5°N 95.5°W.
- 06 / 0300 UTC: A Tropical Storm Watch is issued for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Celestun to Cancun.
- 06 / 1500 UTC: A Tropical Storm Warning is issued for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Celestun to Cabo Catoche.
- 06 / 1800 UTC: Milton becomes a hurricane with a central pressure of 986 mb and wind speeds of 70 kt, located at 22.5°N 94.1°W.
- 06 / 2010 UTC: NOAA buoy 42055 (22.14N 94.11W) records a minimum sea level pressure of 997.5 mb and a maximum 1-minute sustained wind speed of 47 kt (gusts to 54 kt).
- 06 / 2100 UTC: A Hurricane Watch is issued for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Celestun to Cancun.
- 06 / 2100 UTC: The Tropical Storm Warning is extended along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Dzilam.
- 07 / (Time uncertain): Milton reaches its peak intensity between aircraft missions.
- 07 / ~1700 UTC: An Air Force Reserve aircraft makes its last penetration of the eye, reporting maximum 700-mb flight-level winds of 158 kt and a central pressure fall from 925 mb to 912 mb.
- 07 / ~2000 UTC: Satellite imagery suggests Milton reaches its estimated peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 155 kt and a minimum central pressure of 895 mb. At this time, it is centered about 85 nautical miles northwest of Merida.
- 07 / 0900 UTC: A Storm Surge Watch is first issued for the Florida Gulf Coast from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.
- 07 / 1200 UTC: A Hurricane Watch is issued for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Celestun to Campeche.
- 07 / 1200 UTC: A Tropical Storm Warning is issued for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Celestun to Campeche.
- 07 / 1500 UTC: A Hurricane Watch is issued for Lake Okeechobee.
- 07 / 2040 UTC: Campeche (MMCP) in Mexico records a minimum sea level pressure of 1001.4 mb.
- 07 / 2100 UTC: A Hurricane Warning is issued for the Florida Gulf Coast from Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay.
- 07 / 2100 UTC: A Hurricane Watch is issued for the east coast of the Florida Peninsula from the St. Lucie/Indian River County Line northward to the mouth of the St. Mary’s River.
- 07 / 2100 UTC: A Tropical Storm Warning is issued for the Florida Gulf Coast south of Bonita Beach to Flamingo, including Lake Okeechobee.
- 07 / 2100 UTC: A Tropical Storm Warning is issued for the Florida Gulf Coast north of the mouth of the Suwannee River northward and westward to Indian Pass.
