Impact of Climate Change on Hurricanes

The 2020 hurricane season is on track to be the most active on record, raising questions about climate change's impact. While global warming is evident, its direct effect on hurricane frequency is unclear. However, climate change is likely increasing hurricane intensity and rainfall. Historical data shows natural cycles of hurricane activity, complicating the attribution to human-caused climate change. Rising sea levels due to warming oceans and melting ice increase storm surge risks. Future projections suggest more intense hurricanes, though the total number may decrease due to atmospheric changes.

What factors have contributed to the 2020 hurricane season being potentially the most active on record?

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

• Decreased ocean temperatures

• Record-breaking hurricane activity and recent intense hurricanes

• Increased solar activity

Why is it challenging to find evidence of human-caused climate change in hurricane data?

• Lack of interest in climate change

• Limited historical data and improved observation methods only since the 1970s

• Hurricanes are not affected by climate change

• Hurricanes have only recently been studied

Which condition is NOT necessary for the development of a hurricane?

• A tropical wave

• High humidity

• High wind shear

• Warm ocean waters

What natural phenomenon contributes to the multi-decade cycles of hurricane activity in the Atlantic?

• Indian Ocean Dipole

• Pacific Decadal Oscillation

• Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation

• El Niño

What is one reason it is difficult to attribute increased hurricane activity to climate change?

• Lack of scientific interest

• Natural variability in hurricane activity

• Climate change has no impact on hurricanes

• Hurricanes are decreasing in number

How has sea level rise affected the risk of storm surges?

• It has decreased the risk

• It has no effect on storm surges

• It has stabilized the risk

• It has increased the risk of flooding

What is the expected impact of global warming on the intensity of hurricanes?

• Hurricanes will stop forming

• Hurricanes will become more intense

• Hurricanes will remain the same

• Hurricanes will become less intense

What is the relationship between warmer oceans and hurricane strength?

• Warmer oceans prevent hurricanes from forming

• Warmer oceans provide more energy for stronger hurricanes

• Warmer oceans have no effect on hurricanes

• Warmer oceans decrease hurricane strength

How might global warming affect the total number of hurricanes?

• Have no effect on the number of hurricanes

• Increase the total number of hurricanes

• Decrease the total number of hurricanes

• Cause hurricanes to form in new regions

What is the estimated increase in hurricane rainfall intensity for every one degree Celsius rise in sea surface temperature?

• 2%

• 5%

• 7%

• 10%