There is one aspect of tropical cyclone forecasting which has lagged behind in terms of improvement, and this is the phenomena of rapid intensification (RI). RI is defined as an increase in the maximum wind speed of a tropical cyclone of at least 30 knots within a time period of 24 hours or less.
Ken McKinley, contributing editor for Ocean Navigator, weather router and founder of Locus Weather in Camden, Maine, describes this phenomena and its characteristics and gives tips as to what sailors should do when threatened by a tropical cyclone.
