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Source: This post on Hurricane Milton has been created based on the article “Why Hurricane Milton, currently barrelling towards Florida, has surprised even weather forecasters” published in Down to Earth on 14th October 2024.
Why in news?
Hurricane Milton has intensified rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico.
About Hurricane Milton
1. It was initially formed as a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Milton swiftly transformed from a Category 1 hurricane to a powerful Category 5 within just 12 hours on October 7.
3. This explosive growth was largely attributed to unusually warm sea surface temperatures, which provided ample energy for the storm’s intensification.
4. By October 8, Milton had reached a peak wind speed of 290 km/hr (180 mph) and recorded a minimum central pressure of 897 millibars, marking it as the third strongest hurricane in Atlantic history.
5. The storm has since undergone an eyewall replacement cycle, leading to a slight decrease in wind speed to 240 km/hr (150 mph), categorizing it as a formidable Category 4 hurricane.
6. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued storm surge warnings, predicting surges up to 15 feet in certain areas, especially along Florida’s western coast, and rainfall forecasts indicate potential accumulations of up to 460 mm in some regions.
About Hurricane
1. Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones or typhoons in different regions, are intense tropical storms with sustained winds of at least 119 km/hr (74 mph).
2. They form over warm ocean waters near the equator, which serve as the primary energy source.
3. Warm, moist air rises and cools, leading to the formation of clouds and the release of latent heat, which fuels the storm. This cycle continues, causing the system to grow and intensify.
4. Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
| Categories | Classification description |
| Category 1 | Wind speeds of 119-153 km/hr (74-95 mph) |
| Category 2 | Wind speeds of 154-177 km/hr (96-110 mph) |
| Category 3 | Wind speeds of 178-208 km/hr (111-129 mph) – considered a major hurricane |
| Category 4 | Wind speeds of 209-251 km/hr (130-156 mph) – major hurricane with catastrophic damage potential |
| Category 5 | Wind speeds exceeding 252 km/hr (157 mph) – extremely dangerous with catastrophic impact |
5. Hurricanes bring multiple hazards, including high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and even tornadoes. They can lead to widespread destruction, especially in coastal areas, with flooding often being the most devastating consequence.
6. Their behavior and trajectory are influenced by various factors, including sea surface temperatures, atmospheric moisture, and wind shear.
UPSC Syllabus: World geography
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