Josh Classen’s Wild Weather Week on October 17th

Here’s a look at last week’s wild weather around the world.

Hurricane Milton became the second strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico.

Only Hurricane Rita in 2005 was stronger. Milton is the ninth hurricane of the season and the second Category 5 hurricane.

It experienced rapid intensification, jumping from Category 1 to Category 5 in less than 24 hours.

It made landfall as a Category 3 in western Florida, causing extensive flooding and damage from wind and storm surge, reaching nearly 10 feet in some areas.

Over a dozen people died in the storm.

Some of these deaths are attributed to an outbreak of tornadoes that developed on the leading edge of Hurricane Milton.

At least 17 tornadoes have been confirmed and there are reports of more than 40 in total.

At least three of the tornadoes were rated EF3. This is a record for the most EF3 (or higher) ever associated with a hurricane.

Most hurricane tornadoes are EF0 or EF1 tornadoes with short-lived damage paths. Some of the tornadoes associated with Milton left an unusually long path of destruction.

And…how about some snow? A severe snowstorm hit Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Several centimeters of snow and freezing temperatures shook the national park.

Snow and cold are definitely not uncommon in this place. However, this happened a little earlier than usual and was an early sign of something to come in the next few months.