Credit: NASA Worldview, NOAA
10 October
Hurricane Milton’s rapid intensification linked to ocean heat
Hurricane Milton swiftly intensified into a Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, driven by record ocean temperatures and a significant marine heat wave.
Kasha Patel, Harry Stevens, and Niko Kommenda report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Hurricane Milton went from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in 24 hours, driven by unusually high Gulf water temperatures.
- The Gulf of Mexico is experiencing a "marine heat wave," increasing hurricane strength by fueling rapid growth.
- Scientists link human-caused climate change to rising ocean temperatures, which have doubled marine heat wave occurrences in the past 40 years.
Key quote:
“Marine heat waves are like the monsters for the future. We should be prepared against this monster that is going to supercharge tropical cyclones and make them stronger.”
— Soheil Radfar, coastal hazards researcher at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
Why this matters:
Rising ocean temperatures intensify hurricanes, leading to more severe storms and dangerous conditions for coastal regions. This trend is linked to climate change, increasing risks for areas prone to hurricanes.
www.washingtonpost.com