Study: Warming Oceans Strengthened North Atlantic Hurricane Wind Speeds

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Facts

  • A study published in the journal Environmental Research: Climate found that climate change intensified nearly 85% of North Atlantic hurricanes from 2019-2023, increasing wind speeds by an average of 18 mph (30 km/hr) and resulting in 30 storms reaching higher categories.[1][2]
  • Of the 38 hurricanes analyzed, 32 were found to have been strengthened as a result of rising sea surface temperatures.[3][4]
  • The study also found that three hurricanes — Lorenzo in 2019, Ian in 2022, and Lee in 2023 — were turned into Category 5 storms because of the influence of climate change. Category 5 storms have winds of 157 mph or higher.[5][6]
  • According to the journal Nature, sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic have increased by approximately 1°C (1.8°F) since 1900 due to climate change, which provides more energy for hurricanes to intensify.[2]
  • This comes as the nonprofit research group Climate Central reports that, due to ocean warming, the speeds of all 11 of the North Atlantic hurricanes in 2024 increased by a range of 9-28 mph (14-45 km/hr).[7]

Sources: [1]Iopscience, [2]Nature, [3]The Hill, [4]Fox5Sandiego, [5]Axios, [6]Weather and [7]CNN.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Environmental Defense Fund and Vox. This study confirms what we've long known — there's been a doubling of major hurricanes since the 1980s, rising sea levels amplify flooding, and slower-moving storms increase destruction. While non-climate change factors are also at play, governments must take these facts seriously and work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve infrastructure for extreme weather, and build communities to withstand worsening storms.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Fee, Wsj and City Journal. Climate change is not causing more hurricanes or making them significantly worse. Historical data show hurricane frequency has declined slightly since 1900, with no strong trend in increased intensity. While people are reasonably concerned when they see rises in destruction, it's important to remember that these factors are caused by population growth in vulnerable areas, poor infrastructure, and inadequate disaster planning.