Hurricane Helene rapidly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 140 mph at landfall, highlighting the growing trend of stronger Gulf storms.
Since 2017, Gulf of Mexico hurricanes have increasingly intensified at landfall, attributed to warmer waters and changing atmospheric conditions that enhance storm energy.
The Loop Current provided Helene with a substantial heat reservoir, overcoming dry air barriers and leading to its rapid intensification and catastrophic impacts.
This year's record ocean temperatures in the Gulf, linked to climate change, show conditions that increase the likelihood of extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene.
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