Short Wave Hurricane Helene Is Here And Powerful
Sep 27, 2024
Jill Trepanier, a hurricane climatologist from Louisiana State University, shares her insights on Hurricane Helene, which rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm. She explains how warm Gulf waters contribute to such swift changes and the implications for future hurricanes. The conversation highlights the critical link between climate change and increasing storm severity, showcasing how these events impact not just coastal areas but also inland communities. Trepanier emphasizes the importance of monitoring trends in hurricane intensity as a crucial response strategy.
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Hurricane Rating System
- Tropical cyclones are rated based on sustained wind speeds, not gusts.
- The Saffir-Simpson scale, ranging from tropical depressions to Category 5 hurricanes, reflects this.
Rapid Intensification
- Hurricane Helene intensified rapidly due to abnormally hot waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
- This rapid intensification is a common pattern for major hurricanes.
Rapid Intensification Definition
- Rapid intensification is defined as a 35-knot (40 mph) wind speed increase in 24 hours.
- Major hurricanes (Category 3-5) may undergo this process multiple times.