"Rapidly Intensifying Hurricanes Pose Major Evacuation Challenges"

As the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins, forecasters warn of more storms that could rapidly intensify, a phenomenon that has historically been difficult to predict. However, advancements in technology and data collection have improved forecasting capabilities. Rapid intensification, where wind speeds increase dramatically in a short period, has been linked to catastrophic hurricanes in the past. The National Hurricane Center and other agencies are using new tools to better predict these events, though challenges remain, as evidenced by Hurricane Otis's unexpected intensification last year.