Hurricane Milton’s last 36 hours have been nothing short of astonishing, as it strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just over a day.
The storm’s blisteringly fast evolution is part of a trend of rapidly intensifying storms fueled by climate change.
The term “rapid intensification” describes an increase in sustained wind speeds of at least 35 mph over a 24-hour period, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Milton has obliterated that minimum, undergoing “extreme rapid intensification”: Its maximum sustained wind speed increased by 90 mph in roughly 25 hours, according to the nonprofit research group Climate Central.
“Warming oceans, due to human-caused climate change, are fueling stronger tropical cyclones,” Climate Central posted Monday on X.
Persons:
National Hurricane Center . Hurricane Milton
Organizations:
Milton’s, National Hurricane Center . Hurricane, Climate, Central