Florida Weatherman John Morales Chokes Up During Report On ‘Horrific’ Hurricane Milton, Blames Global Warming For Storm

Miami meteorologist John Morales became emotional while reporting on Hurricane Milton, which is predicted to be the strongest storm to hit the Tampa Bay area in a century.

“It’s just an incredible, incredible, incredible hurricane,” he said on NBC Miami, tearing up while describing the storm’s horrifying threat. “I apologize. This is just – horrific.”

Hurricane Milton grew from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane in 18 hours. Scientists say this phenomenon, known as “rapid intensification,” is becoming more and more common due to climate change.

“It is just gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico, where you can imagine the seas are just so incredibly, incredibly hot,” Morales continued. “Record hot, as you might imagine. You know what’s driving that. I don’t need to tell you – global warming, climate change leading to this.”

In an X post following his segment, Morales said he debated sharing the video of his emotional report.

“I did apologize on air,” he wrote. “But I invite you to read my introspection on @BulletinAtomic of how extreme weather driven by global warming has changed me. Frankly, YOU should be shaken too, and demand #ClimateActionNow.”

As of Monday afternoon, Hurricane Milton is predicted to reach Tampa as at least a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday. The state is still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helene, a storm that scientists deemed a result of human-caused climate change.