Hurricanes are becoming more intense and dangerous due to climate change.
Recent storms like Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene have demonstrated the growing threat to coastal areas.
These powerful storms are gaining strength quickly as they move across unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
The 2024 hurricane season has already seen five hurricanes make landfall in the United States, with more potentially on the way before the official end of the season on November 30.
This high level of hurricane activity raises concerns about the impacts of global warming on tropical cyclones.
Scientists are studying how rising temperatures may be altering hurricane patterns and intensities.
Are hurricanes getting more common?
The frequency of hurricanes hitting the United States has not increased due to climate change. Yet, the storms that do form tend to be stronger and more dangerous.
While the total count of hurricanes remains steady, the number of intense storms is rising.
This year has seen fewer hurricanes than expected. But oddly, more of these storms have reached U.S. shores.
Hurricane Milton will be the fifth named storm to hit the country this year when it reaches Florida.
The number of hurricanes that make landfall doesn’t always show how bad a season is.
Wind speed, which determines a storm’s category, is not the only factor to consider.
Rainfall and storm surge also play key roles in a hurricane’s impact.
For example, 2012 saw just two hurricanes hit the U.S. Both were Category 1 storms when they made landfall. Yet one of these was Hurricane Sandy, which caused massive damage along the East Coast. The storm racked up a bill in the tens of billions of dollars.
How climate change worsens hurricane impacts
Climate change plays a significant role in intensifying hurricanes.
Warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy for storms to grow stronger.
The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico have been unusually warm recently, fueling more powerful hurricanes.
As hurricanes move over warmer waters, they absorb more moisture. This leads to heavier rainfall when the storms make landfall, causing severe flooding in coastal and inland areas.
Rising sea levels due to climate change also increase the danger of storm surges.
These surges can push further inland, flooding larger areas.
Some hurricanes are gaining strength more quickly than in the past.
This rapid intensification makes it harder for communities to prepare and evacuate in time.
Recent storms like Hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton strengthened very rapidly before landfall.
Climate change affects hurricanes in several key ways:
- Stronger wind speeds
- Heavier rainfall
- Higher storm surges
- More rapid intensification
Hurricanes in 2024
The 2024 hurricane season has been active, with several storms making landfall in the United States.
Hurricane Beryl kicked off the season in June, setting records as the strongest early-season hurricane. It left a trail of damage across the Caribbean before hitting Texas in July.
In August, Hurricane Debby struck Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 1 storm, bringing heavy rain.
September saw two more hurricanes make landfall.
Hurricane Francine hit Louisiana as a Category 2, causing unexpected flooding in New Orleans.
Later that month, Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida’s Big Bend as a powerful Category 4, leading to major flooding across the Southeast.
As of early October, Hurricane Milton looms as the next threat.
It reached Category 5 strength before weakening slightly to a Category 4. Forecasters warn it poses a serious danger to Florida in the coming days.
2024 U.S. Landfalling Hurricanes:
| Hurricane | Landfall Location | Category | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beryl | Texas | 1 | Jul 8 |
| Debby | Florida Big Bend | 1 | Aug 5 |
| Francine | Louisiana | 2 | Sep 11 |
| Helene | Florida Big Bend | 4 | Sep 26 |
