In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina dramatically illustrated the challenges of weather forecasting. Initially projected to impact Florida, the storm unexpectedly shifted westward, setting its sights on Louisiana and Mississippi. Rapid intensification, coupled with an underestimation of critical atmospheric conditions, transformed Katrina into a catastrophic event. The storm's devastating impact included widespread levee failures, approximately $100 billion in damages, and the tragic loss of over 1,300 lives.