A recent rapid analysis conducted by the World Weather Attribution has revealed the significant impact of climate change on Hurricane Milton, which wreaked havoc with its powerful winds and heavy rainfall. The study found that the storm's intensity was supercharged by a warming world, primarily driven by fossil fuel pollution.
One of the key factors contributing to Hurricane Milton's strength was the warmer Gulf of Mexico, a result of human-caused climate change. The storm's winds were boosted by 10% due to climate change, pushing it from a Category 2 to a Category 3 hurricane. The analysis also indicated that storms as potent as Milton are now 40% more likely to occur because of global warming.
During its journey, Hurricane Milton underwent extreme rapid intensification, reaching a Category 5 hurricane with wind speeds of 180 mph. The storm thrived in ocean waters that were 3.5 to 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit above average, a condition made significantly more probable by climate change.
The warmer oceans not only provided the storm with more energy to intensify but also led to a substantial increase in rainfall. Milton dumped 20 to 30% more rain across Florida, with St. Petersburg experiencing a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event, receiving 18 inches of rain, 9 inches of which fell in just three hours.
Climate change has made storms like Milton twice as likely to occur due to the increased moisture in the atmosphere and warmer sea temperatures. The analysis highlighted that over 90% of global warming in recent decades has been absorbed by the oceans, fueling hurricanes with additional energy and moisture.
Rapid intensification and heightened rainfall are becoming more common features of hurricanes, posing a growing threat to coastal regions. The study underscores the urgent need to address climate change to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events like Hurricane Milton.
