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.