Human-induced climate change has raised Hurricane Helene’s rainfall by 10% and wind speeds by 11%, with similar effects likely for Hurricane Milton. Recent studies indicate that warming oceans and atmosphere significantly increase risks of severe hurricanes, attributing heightened flooding and fatalities largely to climate change. Experts warn of the urgent need for climate action to mitigate these escalating storms.
Recent studies indicate that human-driven climate change has significantly intensified the effects of Hurricane Helene, increasing rainfall by approximately 10% and wind speeds by about 11%. Such adjustments are critical as Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast just weeks after Helene. The World Weather Attribution’s research suggests that climate change elevated Helene’s wind speeds by nearly 13 mph and heightened warm sea temperatures, thus making them 200 to 500 times more likely. Ben Clarke, a climate researcher at Imperial College London, noted the direct correlation between rising air temperatures and increased moisture capacity, which exacerbated the rainfall figures initially anticipated. The implications for Milton are equally concerning, as the scientists predict that it will undergo similar amplification due to ongoing climate changes. These escalating hurricane intensities are alarming; according to the scientists, the relentless burning of fossil fuels will likely result in hurricanes resembling Helene, causing widespread and severe inland flooding, not restricted to coastal regions. Terribly, many casualties from Helene were attributed to extensive inland flooding rather than the hurricane’s winds. Helene’s impact was devastating, registering a record storm surge of 15 feet and exhibiting sustained winds of 140 mph, wreaking havoc across multiple states including Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia. The cataclysm left millions without power and access to necessities, culminating in over 230 fatalities. Researchers estimate that Helene’s unprecedented rainfall exceeded 40 trillion gallons, a figure significantly increased by anthropogenic climate warming. Clarke emphasized the catastrophic consequences resulting from slight increases in extreme weather conditions. Historically, hurricanes as intense as Helene would occur approximately every 130 years, yet the probability of such events has risen substantially, now estimated to be 2.5 times more likely due to changing climate parameters. The World Weather Attribution, which has operated since 2015, conducted rapid analyses to discern the extent to which extreme weather events are attributable to climate change.
The article discusses the impact of human-induced climate change on recent hurricanes, specifically Helene and Milton. It highlights the scientific findings that correlate warmer ocean temperatures and increased moisture in the atmosphere with heightened hurricane intensity and frequency. The devastation caused by these storms raises concerns over future weather patterns and the urgent need for climate action. By exploring data and studies from organizations like World Weather Attribution, the article underscores how current policies and energy consumption habits critically influence hurricane-related risks.
In summation, the findings underscore a disturbing trend: human-caused climate change has markedly increased the intensity and destructiveness of hurricanes, with Helene serving as a harbinger for future storms, including the impending Hurricane Milton. The evidence clearly indicates that unless significant changes are made to reduce fossil fuel consumption, communities will face increasingly severe weather events, alongside devastating consequences for life and infrastructure.
Original Source: www.ksnt.com
