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Hurricane Matthew: Where Is This Massive Storm Heading?

 United States

Hurricane Matthew (left) wind speeds are expected to be highest in Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas (magenta) and then lessen as the system moves northward, whereas Tropical Storm Nicole (right) is moving to the northwest, according to a forecast made at 8 a.m. EDT Tuesday (Oct. 4). Image: NHC, NOAA

"Generally, [hurricanes] like moist, calm conditions with a warm ocean," [said James Done, the science lead for the Capacity Center for Climate and Weather Extremes at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado]. "We definitely had a warm ocean. The ocean in the Caribbean right now is warmer than normal for this time of year, and the warmth extends to great depths."

He added that "it's likely a portion of the warming is due to human activity — [so-called] anthropogenic climate change"