Climate change experts have documented an increase in the intensity of North Atlantic tropical cyclone. Predictions are being made that the rise in temperature will increase the intensity of hurricanes and typhoons in the future. The number of tropical cyclones will increase on a global level with heavy precipitation and high wind speed. Global warming has caused the temperature to rise in the tropical sea surface which is adding to the intensity of cyclone activity. Climate change more than the natural variation in the ocean temperature is causing this change.
Studies have proved that the ocean can store more energy and during tropical storms, this energy gets converted into wind power. If the sea surface temperature continues to increase at the same pace, future cyclones will occur with a higher wind speed causing more destruction. Experts believe that even though global warming does not guarantee cyclones every year, its intensity will certainly increase in the long run.
Some climate scientists are of view that the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, a decade long natural ocean temperature variation is the cause behind the increase of tropical cyclones. But they are not ruling out the role of global warming to the rise in SST (sea surface temperature) because a warmer sea surface will have more humidity, which is fuel for hurricanes.
There is no uniformity in oceans getting warmer across the globe but the Caribbean and Mid Atlantic oceans are worst hit due to global warming. Almost 30 years ago, the vapor levels were not this high in the Atlantic hurricane zone. Today, the vapor level has increased 15 percent on average and this can cause more hurricanes of Category 4 and 5. Global warming emissions stay in the atmosphere for centuries or even decades, making it essential for us to choose clean energy sources for a safe and healthy environment.
