Around the world, scientists are seeing a troubling pattern where hurricanes are becoming more intense, more destructive, and harder to predict.
Usurpingly, human-driven climate change plays a major role.
Studies show that warming ocean waters are fueling storms that strengthen more rapidly, sometimes jumping from a Category 1 to a Category 4 in less than 24 hours. This “rapid intensification” leaves coastal communities with little time to prepare, dramatically increasing the potential for loss of life and property damage.
Recent NOAA research warns that this trend is accelerating. Since the 1980s, the number of hurricanes undergoing rapid intensification has more than doubled in the Atlantic basin. Warmer sea surface temperatures, combined with moist air and favorable wind patterns, create the perfect conditions for storms to grow faster and stronger than in the past.
The challenge is compounded by cuts to critical weather monitoring programs, which make it harder for forecasters to detect and predict these changes in real time. This means communities may get less warning before a major storm hits and we are left with an urgent need for investment in both climate resilience and scientific tools.
The impacts are already visible. For example, last year, Hurricane Helene intensified at an alarming rate before making landfall in the southeastern United States, causing billions in damages. Events like this are expected to become more common as the planet warms and sea levels rise, amplifying storm surges and flooding.
Fortunately, many .earth domain users are tracking, studying, and helping communities prepare for these growing threats:
- Soar.Earth: Offers interactive maps that track storm paths and help people visualize the potential impact of hurricanes. Learn more here.
- Reask.Earth: Shares in-depth analysis comparing tropical cyclone models with observed data to improve forecasting accuracy. Learn more here.
- Distilled.Earth: Delves into the story of Hurricane Helene and what it reveals about the science behind rapid intensification. Learn more here.
- TheCommons.Earth: Provides practical advice on how to prepare for natural disasters, including hurricanes, tailored to your location. Learn more here.
Is your organization sharing solutions and strategies for living in an era of stronger, more dangerous storms? The .earth web domain is the perfect home for amplifying your mission to protect communities and the planet through science, preparedness, and resilience.
To learn more about the .earth domain, visit Voices.Earth. In addition, many organizations and individuals are sharing their voices about the benefits of a .earth domain in our Voices.Earth podcast series.
