What's happened
Recent analyses reveal that Hurricane Milton's intensity and rainfall were significantly enhanced by climate change. The storm, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Florida, exhibited characteristics that would have been less severe in a cooler climate. This highlights the ongoing impact of global warming on extreme weather events.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Axios, Hurricane Milton's rapid intensification was unprecedented, with winds increasing by 90 mph in just 24 hours. The New York Times noted that Milton's rainfall was significantly boosted by climate change, estimating that it caused roughly twice the property damage compared to a hypothetical storm in a cooler world. Politico highlighted the scientific consensus that climate change makes hurricanes stronger and more likely to form, with Milton's rainfall increased by 20-30%. Ars Technica emphasized the role of warm ocean waters in fueling Milton, stating that such conditions are now 400-800 times more likely due to climate change. Overall, these sources illustrate a clear link between climate change and the increasing severity of hurricanes.
How we got here
Hurricane Milton followed closely after Hurricane Helene, both of which were influenced by climate change. Studies indicate that warmer ocean temperatures and increased atmospheric moisture have intensified these storms, leading to unprecedented rainfall and wind speeds.
Common question
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How Does Climate Change Affect Hurricane Intensity?
Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant factor influencing the intensity and frequency of hurricanes. Recent events, such as Hurricane Milton, have raised questions about how global warming is reshaping these powerful storms. Below, we explore the impacts of climate change on hurricanes and what we can expect in the future.
More on these topics
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Hurricane Milton is an active tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Mexico currently approaching the Yucatán Peninsula. The thirteenth named storm, ninth hurricane, and fourth major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Milton formed from a long...
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World Weather Attribution is an academic collaboration studying extreme event attribution, calculations of the impact of climate change on extreme meteorological events such as heat waves, droughts, and storms. When an extreme event occurs, the project...
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Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. With a population of over 21 million, Florida is the third-most populous and the 22nd-most extensive of the 50 United States.
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Ronald "Ron" Dion DeSantis is an American attorney, naval officer, and Republican politician. He has served as the 46th governor of Florida since 2019, and he represented Florida's 6th congressional district in Congress from 2013 to 2018.
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Climate change includes both the global warming driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases, and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns.