The New York Times reports that a new study confirms what experts have been predicting all along: climate change is bringing us stronger and more destructive storms and hurricanes. It was first suspected when scientists studied satellite images from 1979, depicting that global warming has increased the likelihood of forming Category 3 storms, or even higher by eight percent a decade.
James Kossin, the lead author of the study, and a researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that evidence is growing in pointing at global warming as the culprit for creating these terrible storms.
A hurricane expert from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kerry Emanuel, says that Kossin's team's findings were on point with what's expected. He added that other factors aside from climate change, might have played a role in increasing the intensity of storms in other parts of the world, such as the North Atlantic.
The findings of the study were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Monday.
How is Climate Change Creating More Dangerous Hurricanes?
According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solution, a rise in sea level, warmer sea surface temperatures, and polar shifts could make future storms more damaging and intense.
At an average, experts have estimated sea levels to rise by one to four feet in low and moderate emissions episodes during this century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change believes it will amplify the coastal storm surge.
Water heating in the oceans and seas also is causing hurricanes to become wetter, with ten to 15 percent more precipitation from cyclones calculated in a two-degree Celsius scenario, according to the C2ES. Perfect examples of destructive floods triggered by high-rain hurricanes include Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Florence in 2018, and Imelda in 2019.
Additionally, locations affected by hurricanes undergo pole shifting. The C2ES says this most likely has something to do with expanding tropics brought about by higher global average temperatures.
With more energetic storms, more destruction and deaths could result. Costs for mending damages brought about by stronger wind storms and heavy rainfall could cause a toll on the economy, experts believe.
Ocean Heat as Fuel For Hurricanes
Researchers, Lijing Cheng from China's Institute of Atmospheric Research, Kevin Trenberth, from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and Peter Jacobs from George Mason University have studied what previously fueled Hurricane Harvey pummeled Houston, Texas back in August 2017.
The team had found that water vapor came from the ocean, and at the time of their investigation, the ocean heat was recorded at high levels. They have concluded that water vapor coming from the heated ocean water is what's 'fueling; hurricanes or tropical storms.
According to the researchers, "We need to adapt to those changes that we can't prevent, that it's too late to prevent."
Also Read: How the Heavy Rains of Hurricane Maria Shattered the Forests of Puerto Rico
