Hurricane Beryl, a Category 3 monster that could intensify to Category 4, is expected to slam the Lesser Antilles islands with potential “life-threatening” impact.

There is no precedent for a storm to intensify this quickly, nor reach this strength, in this part of the ocean during the month of June. Records date to 1851.

While flukes happen, there is a firm link between rapid intensification (the strengthening of hurricanes) and human-induced climate change. Ocean waters are running 3 or 4 degrees above average, reminiscent of August rather than June. In some cases, records are being set. It’s unsurprising that the atmosphere is responding accordingly.