Hurricane Ian's forecast calls for rapid intensification. What does that mean?

They are two of the most feared words
associated with hurricane forecasting: rapid intensification. That's what we're dealing with in Hurricane Ian.

They are two of the most feared words associated with hurricane forecasting: rapid intensification. And that's what we're dealing with in Hurricane Ian.

Forecasters warned that the newly formed hurricane was expected to intensify rapidly to Category 3, a major hurricane, as soon as late Monday.

In fact, Ian was forecast to hit Cuba as a major hurricane and then become an even stronger Category 4 with top winds of 140 mph over warm Gulf of Mexico waters before striking Florida along a stretch of coast including the Tampa Bay area by midweek.