Changing Weather Affected by Climate Change

Changing Weather- Stronger Storms and Hurricanes

As climate change continues to affect our planet, there have been noticed records that the storms and hurricanes have been increasing in strength, length of the storms, and the damage caused by them. These storms aren't just hurting our property, they are hurting ecosystems as a whole along with smaller communities.

Scientists are looking towards warming ocean temperatures as the main source of these stronger storms. The extra heat in the atmosphere and oceans act of a source of energy for these storms- as the heat increases, the strength of these storms increase. 

Picture source: www.noaanews.noaa.gov

Kerry Emanuel, a hurricane expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, did a study in 2005 in which he determined that hurricanes are now 60% more powerful than those of the 1970's.

According to the studies, it is likely that we will see an increase in storm activity if our planet's temperature continues to rise.

Sources:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/ClimateStorms/page2.php

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/threats-impacts/stronger-storms.xml