- stacybourne
- November 5, 2023
- 1:44 pm
- No Comments
Although the formation of hurricanes during the storm season or cyclonic season is considered something normal, during the last few years a number of hurricanes has been generated that could be considered as something unusual that alerts scientists and meteorological researchers.
Hurricanes tend to be generated in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, some areas of the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean, although their name changes to typhoons and cyclones depending on the area.
Their formation is due to temperature differences between air and water vapor, and the greater the amount of water that evaporates, the greater the chances that tropical depressions will be created and that they will later become hurricanes.
According to NASA, the minimum temperature a hurricane needs to form from a tropical depression is 80°F (27°C) and wind speeds of 74 miles per hour (119 kilometers per hour).
Every degree Celsius increase in the temperature of the surface waters of the oceans, in turn, means an increase of up to 32% in the frequency of hurricanes that are generated. As the strength of these hurricanes increases, so do their wind speeds, which can reach 93 miles per hour – 150 miles per hour (150 kilometers per hour – 240 kilometers per hour).
Increased Temperatures
There is one factor that is boosting the increase in the number of hurricanes that form annually from June through November in the Atlantic. This factor is the increase in the temperature of the surface waters of the oceans. This has resulted in a greater number of hurricanes than in previous seasons because ocean temperatures are hovering around 80°F – 85°F (27°C – 30°C).
Due to this increase, thunderstorms are created, which under certain conditions become tropical depressions, and then hurricanes that travel thousands of miles cause millions of dollars in damage in their path due to the strong winds that characterize them.
Storms absorb this heat and humidity, thus increasing their energy, which causes their wind speeds to increase, making them stronger and more dangerous. At the same time, rainfall increases, a factor that causes more damage in the cities and towns through which hurricanes pass.
Causes of Rising Ocean Temperatures
Rising ocean temperatures are an important fuel for the formation of more storms and hurricanes. However, these temperatures have not always been considered normal. For the past 6 years, ocean temperatures have been increasing, as has the overall temperature of planet earth.
2 Ways Temperature Affect Hurricanes
Faster intensification
The intensity of hurricanes depends mainly on the heat of the ocean waters. However, it is important to consider that not only the number of hurricanes increase but also their danger due to the fact that the intensification time of thunderstorms has been reduced by increasing the strength of their winds and turning into hurricanes as they move through the oceans.
Greater destructive power
Hurricanes are classified into 5 categories depending on their average wind speeds, using the Saffir-Simpson wind scale. However, the devastating power of hurricanes lies in the rainfall, storm surge, and the amount of water they contain. These are responsible for most of the damage caused to towns and cities. However, the damage done will depend on the speed at which hurricanes move and the geography of the territory through which they move.
In addition to a greater number of hurricanes, their danger increases
Hurricanes can weaken and become storms after passing through certain geographical areas. However, when they reach the oceans again with relatively warm surface water, there is the possibility that they can become hurricanes again.
A threat to humans and sea wildlife
The higher the temperature of the oceans, the more hurricanes will form.
Marine living beings such as fish, marine mammals, birds, and even plankton, are greatly affected by the passage of hurricanes. In turn, marine ecosystems such as corals are not only affected by the passage of hurricanes but are also weakened by the high temperatures of the oceans. It is demonstrated that corals are damaged when water temperatures are 86°F (30°C) for several consecutive days.
Coral reefs are vital in protecting coastlines from atmospheric phenomena such as storms and hurricanes. According to researchers, coral reefs can reduce the impact of waves by up to 95%. They function as a kind of underwater wall or natural breakwater, mitigating the effects of hurricanes on the coasts. Although it is important to add that in this protection process, delicate corals can be damaged.
There have been cases where corals have protected coasts from flooding and erosion compared to coasts without coral that received severe damage. This particular case was at Ningaloo Reef in Australia.
