Hurricane Idalia is expected to rapidly strengthen as it moves towards Florida and the Gulf Coast, thanks to unusually warm water. The warm ocean currents act as a source of energy for hurricanes. Scientists attribute the warming of the water to human-caused climate change and natural climate cycles. This trend of hurricanes rapidly intensifying near coastlines has increased significantly in recent years. However, it is challenging to link the intensity of a single storm to climate change. Studies show a clear connection between global warming and the increased frequency of rapid intensification.