What Rapid Intensification Means During Hurricane Season

Tropical storms and hurricanes feed off the warmth of the water they pass over. When ocean and atmospheric conditions line up just right, a hurricane can undergo rapid intensification, which means it can become much stronger in a short period of time.

If you’re in the path of a hurricane that is forecast to be a Category 3 storm, it’s wise to prepare as though conditions could worsen. Category 3 and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, but even Category 1 and 2 storms can bring life-threatening storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, and damaging winds.

What Is Rapid Intensification?

A storm is considered to be in a state of rapid intensification when its maximum sustained winds increase by at least 30 knots, or about 35 mph, in 24 hours. That jump can mean the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane, or between a dangerous hurricane and a catastrophic one.