Unveiling the Increasing Frequency of Category 5 Hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin

The frequency of Category 5 hurricanes has tripled compared to the last three decades of the 20th century, with 16 forming in the Atlantic since the beginning of the century. This increase is not due to a higher overall count of tropical cyclones, but rather a greater proportion of storms going through rapid intensification cycles, often resulting in potentially catastrophic Category 4 and 5 systems. The warming of ocean waters due to global heating is a key factor in this trend, as warmer water provides more energy for storm development. Despite these concerning trends, Hurricane Lee is unlikely to impact any land mass at its peak intensity, but it is being closely monitored as it moves north across the western Atlantic.