How Climate Change Is Impacting Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones
Japan has recently faced Typhoon Shanshan, one of its strongest storms in years. In the Atlantic, experts are warning that the 2024 hurricane season could be especially severe, with the peak expected in September. This heightened concern is partly due to unusually high sea temperatures, which can intensify storms.
What Are Hurricanes?
Hurricanes, also known as typhoons or cyclones depending on their location, are powerful storms that form over warm ocean waters. They are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges that can cause widespread damage and flooding. The strength of these storms is measured by their wind speed, with major hurricanes reaching speeds of at least 111 mph (178 km/h).
How Do Hurricanes Form?
Hurricanes begin with disturbances like tropical waves, where warm, moist air rises from the ocean. This rising air creates spinning winds, and if the sea temperature is at least 27°C (81°F) and wind patterns are stable, a hurricane can form.
Have Hurricanes Been Getting Worse?
Globally, the total number of tropical cyclones hasn’t increased much, but more of them are reaching the highest intensity levels, according to the UN’s climate body, the IPCC. There’s also evidence that hurricanes are producing more rain and moving more slowly, which can lead to severe flooding. For example, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 caused extreme flooding because it stalled over Houston, dumping 100 cm of rain.
How Is Climate Change Affecting Hurricanes?
Climate change is making hurricanes more intense in several ways:
- Warmer Ocean Waters: Higher sea temperatures provide more energy to storms, making them stronger.
- Increased Moisture: A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall. For example, climate change increased the likelihood of the extreme rainfall seen in Hurricane Harvey by about three times.
- Rising Sea Levels: Melting ice and thermal expansion of seawater mean higher sea levels, which worsen storm surges and coastal flooding. For instance, Hurricane Katrina’s flood heights were 15-60% higher than they would have been in 1900 due to rising sea levels.
What About the Future?
The IPCC predicts that while the total number of tropical cyclones globally might not increase, their intensity is likely to grow. As global temperatures rise, more storms are expected to reach the most intense categories (four and five). If temperatures rise by 1.5°C, about 10% more storms could reach these levels, with the percentage increasing if temperatures rise further.
Unique Perspective:
The increasing strength and impact of hurricanes underscore the urgent need to address climate change. As storms become more severe, they not only threaten lives and property but also highlight the broader implications of global warming on weather patterns and coastal communities.
This information is drawn from BBC reporting on the effects of climate change on severe storms.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42251921