In a stark reminder of the growing impacts of climate change, experts have confirmed that human-induced warming made Hurricane Milton which devastated Florida this week, significantly wetter and windier. On Friday, October 11, 2024, the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group released a report stating that heavy rainfall events like the one triggered by Hurricane Milton are now 20-30% more intense due to climate change, and such storms are twice as likely to occur in today’s climate.
Hurricane Milton’s winds were also amplified by 10%, enough to push what would have been a Category 2 storm to a more dangerous Category 3, the report said. The hurricane’s rapid intensification led to severe destruction, killing hundreds of people and causing billions of dollars in economic damages. It was the second major storm to hit Florida in just two weeks, following closely on the heels of Hurricane Helen, underscoring the mounting challenges posed by extreme weather events.
Climate Change and the Intensification of Hurricanes
According to Climate Central, warming oceans are directly fueling stronger tropical cyclones, which have become some of the most expensive weather disasters in the U.S. Warmer sea surface temperatures increase the likelihood of rapid intensification in hurricanes, where wind speeds increase by at least 35 mph within 24 hours. This process makes hurricanes more dangerous and difficult to forecast, exacerbating the damage they cause.
From 1980 to 2023, 177 landfalling Atlantic tropical cyclones underwent rapid intensification, with 70% of the 63 billion-dollar hurricanes since 1980 falling into this category. Both Hurricanes Helen and Milton rapidly intensified before making landfall, highlighting this growing trend.
The report also noted that June 2024 marked 15 consecutive months of record-breaking global sea surface temperatures, with ocean heat contributing to the extreme behavior of storms like Milton. Since April 2023, global sea surface temperatures have been hotter than any period on record by a significant margin, making the current hurricane season particularly dangerous.
Historic and Active Hurricane Season
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted one of the most active hurricane seasons in recent history, with up to 24 named storms expected, 13 of which could become hurricanes. Of these, as many as seven could become major hurricanes, packing winds of over 111 mph. NOAA has urged residents in hurricane-prone areas to prepare for threats such as damaging winds, storm surges, and inland flooding.
As the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, the urgency of addressing the climate crisis becomes clearer than ever. Scientists, policymakers, and communities alike are calling for stronger climate action to mitigate the effects of warming oceans, which continue to fuel increasingly destructive storms.
Hurricane Milton is a tragic reminder of the costs of inaction, and with the Atlantic hurricane season continuing until November 30, the risks are far from over.
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