Will global warming make hurricanes stronger

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=012a4da0b5471c30&cat=c08dd24cec417021

Climate change could make future hurricanes stronger, but whether the effect is measurable is still a matter of debate. It is also unknown whether it will change the total number of storms.



Kevin Trenberth from the National Center for Atmospheric Research claims that warmer oceans and increased moisture could intensify the showers and thunderstorms that fuel hurricanes.

"Trends in human-influenced environmental changes are now evident in hurricane regions," Trenberth said. "These changes are expected to affect hurricane intensity and rainfall, but the effect on hurricane numbers remains unclear. The key scientific question is how hurricanes are changing."

Sea-surface temperatures in the tropical North Atlantic — the breeding ground for most U.S. hurricanes — have been the warmest on record over the last decade. Across the globe, the amount of water vapor over the oceans has increased by about 2 percent since 1988.

more...

It will be a very interesting Hurricane Season this 2005!!!

[AX10]

1. I can't feel sorry if one of them goes over the Governors Mansion..

in Florida.

[donco6]

2. Aren't we already seeing an earlier season?

The one that just brushed Destin was pretty early, I think.

[iamjoy]

4. Not As Early As In 1995

That was a very active season, the first named storm hit Florida's panhandle the first week of June. That season saw 19 named storms. But, 1933 saw 21 tropical storms/hurricanes.

While warmer water is one factor in development of storms, so are upper level winds. Upper level winds create shear the tops of storms before they can "organize."

I think it is still too soon to tell whether the seeming increase in number and intensity of storms is related to global warming or other factors (cyclical activity).

[misanthrope]

3. Warmer water...

...makes for stronger hurricanes.