Harvey Blasts From Storm to Hurricane in 40 Hours
Rapid Intensification Catches Many Off Guard
Meteorologists Explain Unusual Speed
WEB Harvey's sudden and rapid intensification from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in just 40 hours has caught many off guard, including meteorologists.
“This is an unusual event,” said Dr. William M. Gray, a professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University. “Harvey went from a tropical depression to a Category 4 hurricane in less than two days. That’s extremely rare.”
Gray said that there are a few factors that may have contributed to Harvey’s rapid intensification. First, Harvey was located over very warm ocean waters. The warm water provided the energy that Harvey needed to grow and strengthen.
Second, Harvey was moving through an area with very little wind shear. Wind shear can disrupt a hurricane’s circulation and prevent it from intensifying. However, Harvey was able to avoid most of the wind shear and continue to grow.
Finally, Harvey was able to tap into a source of upper-level energy. This energy helped to power Harvey’s convection and allowed it to strengthen rapidly.
The combination of these factors led to Harvey’s rapid intensification. Forecasters were caught off guard by the storm’s strength and speed, and they were forced to issue hurricane warnings at the last minute.
Conclusion
Harvey’s rapid intensification is a reminder that hurricanes can be unpredictable and dangerous. Forecasters are still trying to understand why Harvey was able to strengthen so quickly, and they are using this information to improve their forecasting models. In the meantime, it’s important to be prepared for hurricanes and to take them seriously, no matter how strong they are predicted to be.
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