Experts: Warmer Waters Might Ignite Hurricane Idalia’s Intensity

September 13, 2023 TruthUSA

Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend region on Aug. 30, could top records in its intensification rate, hurricane experts have warned.

The hurricane eventually touched down as a Category 3 storm near Keaton Beach, along the Apalachee Bay, at around 7:45 a.m. ET, after experts had warned overnight it could intensify into an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm.

Still, the downgraded storm brought with it maximum sustained winds of around 125 mph, while water levels along the coast are rapidly rising, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

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Later on Wednesday, officials said winds had slowed down slightly to 105 mph, still a Category 2 hurricane.

Hurricanes, which are not an uncommon occurrence in Florida, typically form over warm ocean waters; building up energy as they suck up hot air from those waters while forming an area of low pressure underneath.

Hurricane Professor Kerry Emanuel, who teaches at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), said that Idalia “stands a chance of setting a record for intensification rate because it’s over water that’s so warm.”

“Right now I’m pretty sure Idalia is rapidly intensifying,” Mr. Emanuel said.

At the time Emanuel said that, Idalia was clocking 80 mph winds. A couple hours later it was up to 90 mph, and by 10 p.m. Idalia was a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds, having gained 40 mph in wind speed in 21 hours.

Scientists believe the warmer water temperatures, which in Florida Bay have been as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit in recent months—are the result of the warming trend in the Pacific Ocean known as El Niño along with other weather events.