'Life-threatening' Isaias is now a major hurricane as it nears the Gulf Coast
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It has been more than 100 years since the Atlantic got its first hurricane of the season this late, as a "Super El Niño" weather pattern has disrupted the ability of cyclones to form. But the pattern has done less to affect storm formation in the Gulf, where very warm water has served as fuel for storms like Isaias.

Warm ocean water helps tropical storms build strength and draw in moisture, adding to their potential rainfall. Warmer sea surface temperatures are also linked to human-caused climate change, a critical factor in making hurricanes larger and more likely to bring intense winds and rainfall when they make landfall.

© NPR

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