Climate Change Boosts Atlantic Hurricane Wind Speeds by 18 mph Since 2019, Study Finds

Nov 20, 2024, 11:20 AM

A recent study published in Science Advances has revealed that climate change is significantly impacting the intensity of Atlantic hurricanes. The research indicates that human-driven climate change has increased hurricane wind speeds by approximately 18 mph since 2019, leading to a notable rise in the intensity of over 80% of storms by roughly a full category during the period from 2019 to 2023. Additionally, the study suggests that the year-to-year variability in North Atlantic tropical cyclone seasons could increase by as much as 36% by 2049. The findings highlight the role of warmer ocean temperatures, driven by human-caused climate change, in fueling more intense hurricanes.