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Warming Will Reduce Hurricanes: Study

New research refutes megastorms fears

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2008 9:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – Climate change is likely to trigger fewer hurricanes and tropical storms off the
Atlantic coast, not more, according to new research that contradicts an earlier study. But future hurricanes will probably be more powerful, according to the research published in Nature Geoscience. The number of tropical storms will likely decline by 27% and hurricanes by 18%, but the number of storm systems with winds of at least 100 mph could more than double, according to study simulations.

"This study does not support the notion that increasing greenhouse gases are causing a large increase in Atlantic hurricane or tropical storm frequency,'' said a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which conducted the study. "We simulate a reduction." A major study last year linked the increase in hurricanes the last century to warmer sea surface temperatures. The author of that study criticized "deficiencies" in the new research.

New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Research had indicated global warming was causing an increase in the number and power of hurricanes. New research contradicts this.
New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Research had indicated global warming was causing an increase in the number and power of hurricanes. New research contradicts this.   (KRT Photos)
A Category 4 hurricane as seen from the Space Shuttle Endeavour. New research says global warming may reduced the number of Atlantic hurricanes.
A Category 4 hurricane as seen from the Space Shuttle Endeavour. New research says global warming may reduced the number of Atlantic hurricanes.   (AP Photo/NOAA)
An increase in the number of hurricanes had been blamed on global warming and that trend had been expected to continue.
An increase in the number of hurricanes had been blamed on global warming and that trend had been expected to continue.   (Getty Images)
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