What is rapid intensification? Hurricane term explained
Andrea RainoneRob Shackelford
ByAndrea RainoneandRob Shackelford
3 days agoUpdated: September 8, 2026, 11:31 am EDTPublished: September 8, 2026, 11:22 pm EDT

Rapid intensification means that the wind speeds of a tropical system increase by 35 mph in under 24 hours. Storms that rapidly intensify can bring devastation to the coastline with heavy rain, storm surge and gusty winds. These storms can also bring impacts inland to communities not used to tropical storm or even hurricane conditions. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks down rapid intensification.

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