Hurricanes Debby and Beryl show how hot oceans fuel a deadly storm season
photo by MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Hurricanes Debby and Beryl show how hot oceans fuel a deadly storm season
Weeks before the typical peak of Atlantic hurricane season, abnormally hot oceans spawned a record-shattering storm. And the trouble is just getting started.
For 15 straight months through June, global sea temperatures have hit all-time seasonal highs. In the Gulf of Mexico and east of Florida, coastal waters are already pushing 90F (32C). Not only is ocean heat breeding dangerous hurricanes like Beryl much earlier in the year than usual, but it’s also giving those storms the fuel to get stronger, faster. Debby slammed into Florida as a hurricane on Monday after rapidly gaining power in the Gulf.
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