“Unprecedented Ocean Heat Fuels Category 5 Hurricane Milton: What You Need to Know”
The energy that fueled Hurricane Milton’s rapid intensification into a Category 5 storm on Monday was sourced from the abnormally warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, not just at the surface, but also at depth. According to data from the University of Miami Upper Ocean Dynamics Lab, the upper layer of the world’s oceans has been experiencing record-high temperatures for the past year and a half, absorbing excess heat from greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.
This increase in ocean heat content has been a key factor in the hyperactive hurricane season that forecasters predicted months ago. Storms that pass over particularly warm ocean regions are more likely to intensify rapidly, as seen with Hurricane Milton and the previous Hurricane Helene, which caused devastation across the Southeast.
The warm ocean waters provide the necessary fuel for storms to strengthen and grow. As water evaporates at the surface, storms draw up humid air that condenses into clouds and rain, releasing heat that further fuels the storm’s development. This process is amplified by the record warmth of the oceans, creating ideal conditions for powerful hurricanes to form.
The recent back-to-back hurricanes, Milton and Helene, both gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico but tapped into different sources of ocean energy. While Helene likely churned up cooler waters with its winds, Milton intensified over the western Gulf, benefiting from a separate reservoir of warm ocean energy.
The impact of these powerful hurricanes has been staggering for scientists monitoring the season. Dr. Kim Wood, an associate professor of hydrology and atmospheric sciences at the University of Arizona, described the rapid succession of intense storms as feeling like an entire hurricane season condensed into a few weeks. With nearly two months left in the official hurricane season, experts are closely monitoring ocean temperatures and storm development to prepare for any future threats.