Tropical storms, including hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, are increasing in intensity due to fundamental shifts in the Earth’s climate system.
While current research suggests that climate change may not significantly increase the frequency of these storms, there is a clear link between a warming planet and the escalating severity of individual weather events.
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Warmer Oceans and Thermal Energy
In recent years, average sea surface temperatures have reached record highs. For a tropical storm to form, moist air must rise from the ocean surface as winds begin to rotate; this process typically requires a minimum sea surface temperature of 26.5°C (approximately 80°F).
Furthermore, ocean warming now extends hundreds of feet below the surface. Historically, the churning action of a passing storm would bring colder water to the surface, acting as a natural brake on the storm’s power. However, because deeper waters are now warmer, storms continue to draw in thermal energy rather than cooling down, allowing them to maintain peak intensity for longer durations.
A Wetter Atmosphere and Precipitation
Thermodynamics dictates that for every 1°C rise in atmospheric temperature, the air can hold approximately 7% more water vapor. This increased capacity allows storms to transport significantly more moisture from the ocean to land. Consequently, recent tropical storms have produced record-breaking rainfall, leading to more frequent and devastating inland flooding.
References
- How do hurricanes form and are they getting stronger?
- How climate change makes hurricanes more destructive
- A Warming Earth is Also a Wetter Earth