Author: Sarah Norman
Date: August 8th, 2024
Area of Impact:
Atlantic Canada
Article Information and Location:
A Force of Nature: Hurricanes in a Changing Climate – NASA Science
Dr. Angela Colbert, Science.nasa.gov, March 18, 2024
INTRODUCTION
Hurricanes are dangerous, and they’re only set to worsen as temperatures increase. They are intense storms that form in the tropics, and can also be called typhoons or cyclones depending on where you are in the world. They bring torrential rain, wind speeds faster than cars on a highway, and consequently huge waves, pounding the shore. According to NASA (as well as NOAA scientists), climate change is making hurricanes stronger.
The article explains this by noting that a hurricane needs many ingredients to form: warm waters, a pre-existing disturbance (or series of storms), the right wind in the right direction, and lots of little water droplets in the air. Climate change will warm the waters and increase water levels, not changing the frequency of the storms but making the ones that occur far more likely to become major storms.
INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANCE
The article notes that since the later part of the 20th century, we have been experiencing an increase in hurricane intensity. The changes we are seeing today are much too significant to be a result of natural changes, but instead are influenced by the changing climate.
There are many ways to observe hurricanes and their intensity: weather buoys in the ocean and planes that can fly into the center to collect data are two of the methods used. The scientists and developers of some of the newest weather satellites hope that their work will help increase the accuracy of predictions on where and when hurricanes form, intensify and travel.
The significance of this is that hurricanes are dangerous, and intensification means that we need to be prepared when they hit. Flooding due to the large waves is historically the most deadly effect, but debris being carried around by winds can also cause serious damage. Preparation and awareness is key to having the least harm to property, people, and communities as a whole.
CONCLUSION
In summary, hurricanes are becoming more intense due to human activities, and being prepared is essential to mitigating damage as it comes. If you are in an area that could be potentially impacted by hurricanes, check out the following resources for hurricane preparedness: