Milton has made headlines as the third fastest-intensifying storm recorded in the Atlantic, raising alarms among climate experts and officials. With over a million residents ordered to evacuate, Florida is bracing for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton on its west coast.

Just how powerful has Hurricane Milton become? The storm escalated rapidly, following closely behind Hurricane Helene, which had left many in the southern U.S. still grappling with its aftermath. In a remarkable transformation, Milton evolved from a tropical storm into a category 5 hurricane within just 24 hours, boasting wind speeds of 180 mph as it barreled across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida. This phenomenon, known as “rapid intensification,” occurs when a storm’s wind speed increases by at least 35 mph in 24 hours. Milton shattered this standard, increasing its wind speed by an astounding 90 mph in about 25 hours, according to Climate Central. Although it weakened slightly to a category 4 just as evacuations intensified in the Tampa area on Tuesday, it remains one of the most formidable hurricanes to threaten the U.S. “This is nothing short of astronomical,” said Noah Bergren, a Florida-based meteorologist. “This hurricane is nearing the mathematical limit of what Earth’s atmosphere over this ocean can produce.”

What factors are driving Milton’s rapid strengthening? Several elements, including thunderstorms and wind shear, play a role in hurricane intensity. However, a critical factor in rapid intensification is the ocean and atmospheric heat content. Warmer air and water provide more energy to storms, allowing them to spin faster and carry more moisture, often resulting in heavy rainfall and flooding. This year, the Gulf of Mexico has recorded temperatures that are 3°F to 5°F above average for this time of year—almost like a summer bathtub. Milton is taking full advantage of this excess heat, similar to how Hurricane Helene did only weeks earlier.

Why are we seeing more storms like this? Scientists note that while hurricanes have always formed in this area, global warming—primarily fueled by fossil fuel combustion—is increasing their intensity and speed. A study from last year revealed that tropical cyclones in the Atlantic are now about 29% more likely to undergo rapid intensification compared to the period between 1971 and 1990. Additionally, research indicates that natural variability alone cannot explain the uptick in rapidly intensifying storms, giving substantial weight to climate change as a contributing factor. Milton now joins a concerning list of hurricanes that have rapidly escalated to devastating levels in recent years, including Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Hurricane Laura in 2020, and Hurricane Ian in 2022, which saw two phases of rapid intensification. Since 2017, the number of category 4 or 5 hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. has matched the total from the previous 57 years combined.

What does this mean for the communities at risk? Residents on Florida’s west coast are facing an urgent crisis. The combined threat of Hurricane Helene and Milton is expected to have devastating consequences, potentially leading to months or even years of recovery and rebuilding. In the long term, the impacts of the climate crisis—including stronger storms—will likely become increasingly evident as global temperatures rise. This scenario could result in greater loss of life and property, prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes “safe” living areas, as climate-related risks extend into previously unaffected regions. Moreover, insurance companies may withdraw coverage due to escalating financial losses. The urgency of the climate crisis has now taken on a prominent role in the U.S. presidential election discourse, reflecting its alarming nature.

When can we expect Milton to make landfall? Forecasters predict that Milton will hit Florida’s central Gulf coast late Wednesday. While the storm’s intensity may fluctuate, it is expected to remain “an extremely dangerous hurricane” upon landfall. As of Tuesday afternoon, Milton was situated roughly 520 miles southwest of Tampa, with sustained winds of 155 mph. President Joe Biden, who has postponed an overseas trip to monitor the hurricane, has warned that it “could be one of the worst storms in 100 years to hit Florida.”