Scientist Findings
Human-caused climate change intensified 's rainfall by 20 to 30% and winds by about 10%, elevating its strength to a Category 3 hurricane instead of a weaker Category 2.
(WWA) and studies attribute the increased storm intensity and the warmer waters, which were 1.8 degrees F warmer than the 1991 to 2020 average, to climate change.
Critical Perspectives
Climate scientist suggests the study might underestimate climate change's impact on the hurricane's intensity, advocating for a recognition of the major effect of human-caused warming on storm severity.
While the studies provide a robust link between climate change and Hurricane Milton's intensity, they also acknowledge the potential for underestimating the true extent of climate change's impact on such storms.