Forecasters offered a dire warning this week, predicting that warm ocean waters could lead to a volatile Atlantic hurricane season, Bloomberg writes.
As many as 11 to 16 named storms are predicted this year by AccuWeather, with four to seven strengthening into hurricanes—including up to four major systems. Unusually warm sea surface temperatures, increasingly tied to climate change, are expected to fuel storm development and heighten the risk of rapid intensification—when storms strengthen dramatically in a short window. While a developing El Niño pattern could introduce wind shear that typically suppresses activity, forecasters say elevated ocean heat may counteract those effects.
The economic implications are significant. Gulf offshore production represents a meaningful share of U.S. oil and gas output, making it vulnerable to disruptions and price swings. At the same time, nearly one-fifth of U.S. homes remain exposed to hurricane wind damage, underscoring persistent risks for coastal markets.
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