Hurricanes and Global Warming
by Bob La Coste on 2007-09-22
Global warming is a general term used to describe the trend in weather on Earth, which has been warming slightly but at an ever-increasing rate since about the 1920's.
Many people disagree on the cause of global warming, but few can disagree that it is now occurring, and will effect the world that we (and especially, our children) live in. Some people believe that global warming is caused by man; our pollution and destructive chemicals harming our protective atmosphere. Others believe it is part of a natural cycle on Earth, and point to polar ice core records that indicate this cycle has happened many times in the past. Some people still do not believe that there is global warming at all, though they are in an ever-smaller minority.
Scientists have been studying the seawater temperature, and report that it too, is warming. One alarming thing about a warmer ocean is that it gives far more "fuel" to hurricanes, enabling them to reach a greater intensity than they otherwise would have. Scientists predict that there may or may not be more hurricanes due to global warming, but the hurricanes that form will have more powerful winds, and heavier rainfall, and last longer.
When can we expect this? At conservative estimates, the major changes will not be upon us for 80 years, but if global warming increases faster than expected we will have less time than that.
What can we expect? If predictions are correct, we can expect a one-half shift upward in intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale (a 4.5 hurricane will become a 5.0) and an 18% increase in rain, and storm surge increasing from about 15 feet (at 4.5) to over 18 feet (at 5.0).
For people who live in or near hurricane prone areas, and their children, these facts are worth planning and preparing for, sooner rather than later.
Many people disagree on the cause of global warming, but few can disagree that it is now occurring, and will effect the world that we (and especially, our children) live in. Some people believe that global warming is caused by man; our pollution and destructive chemicals harming our protective atmosphere. Others believe it is part of a natural cycle on Earth, and point to polar ice core records that indicate this cycle has happened many times in the past. Some people still do not believe that there is global warming at all, though they are in an ever-smaller minority.
Scientists have been studying the seawater temperature, and report that it too, is warming. One alarming thing about a warmer ocean is that it gives far more "fuel" to hurricanes, enabling them to reach a greater intensity than they otherwise would have. Scientists predict that there may or may not be more hurricanes due to global warming, but the hurricanes that form will have more powerful winds, and heavier rainfall, and last longer.
When can we expect this? At conservative estimates, the major changes will not be upon us for 80 years, but if global warming increases faster than expected we will have less time than that.
What can we expect? If predictions are correct, we can expect a one-half shift upward in intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale (a 4.5 hurricane will become a 5.0) and an 18% increase in rain, and storm surge increasing from about 15 feet (at 4.5) to over 18 feet (at 5.0).
For people who live in or near hurricane prone areas, and their children, these facts are worth planning and preparing for, sooner rather than later.
About The Author: The author of this article is a "severe weather" enthusiast, and created a website (www.hurricane-tracking.us), which has a section dedicated to information on the relationship of hurricanes and global warming.