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The Daily

A New Threat: Surprise Hurricanes

Oct 27, 2023
Judson Jones, a natural disasters expert from The New York Times, dives into the devastating impact of Hurricane Otis on southern Mexico. He explains how this rapid intensification from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane exemplifies a worrying trend of surprise storms fueled by climate change. Jones emphasizes the increased risks for coastal communities and stresses the urgent need for improved forecasting technologies and public preparedness to tackle these escalating threats.
23:30

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Quick takeaways

  • Rapid intensification of hurricanes, fueled by warming ocean waters due to climate change, is a growing concern for meteorologists.
  • Mitigation efforts such as building resilient infrastructure and providing hurricane-proof shelters are crucial in safeguarding coastal communities from rapidly intensifying storms.

Deep dives

Rapid Intensification of Hurricane Otis

Hurricane Otis, which hit southern Mexico, rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours, catching many by surprise. This unprecedented and dangerous speed of intensification, known as rapid intensification, is a growing concern for meteorologists. The warming of ocean waters due to climate change is a major driving factor behind this phenomenon. Warmer waters provide more fuel for hurricanes, allowing them to rapidly gain strength and become more destructive. Rapid intensification is happening more frequently and poses challenges for forecasting and preparedness, as people have less time to evacuate and make necessary preparations. As a mitigation measure, building resilient infrastructure and having hurricane-proof shelters readily available in at-risk areas can help save lives.

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