Climate change makes the strongest hurricanes stronger, increases rainfall, storm surge damage through sea level rise, and the probability of rapid intensification. Helene gave the U.S. a record eight Cat 4 or Cat 5 Atlantic hurricane landfalls in the past eight years. That’s as many Cat 4 and 5 landfalls as in the prior 57 years. Sea surface temperatures along Helene’s path were about 1-2 degrees Celsius (1.8-3.6°F) above the long-term average which equated to a 50-100% increase in Helene’s destructive power. And you can apply this to hurricane Milton.
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