COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hurricane Erin has gone through a dramatic stretch this weekend — jumping from a Category 1 to a Category 5 in less than a day, dropping back to a Category 3, and now climbing again to a Category 4. So, what’s behind this rollercoaster?

Meteorologists use the term rapid intensification when a storm’s winds increase by at least 35 miles per hour in 24 hours. Simply put — when all the right ingredients come together, a storm can grow much stronger, much faster than usual. Warm ocean water, plenty of moisture, and calm winds above the storm created the near flawless setup for Erin’s big leap.

But hurricanes can’t sustain that peak strength forever. Much like a runner who can’t sprint nonstop, storms eventually slow down. They naturally go through cycles where their inner

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