Clues to Present Storms Can be Found in Hurricanes From 3M Years Ago
Studying hurricane and tropical storm development from three million years ago might give today’s forecasters a good blueprint for 21st century storms, says a team of international researchers that includes a Texas A&M University atmospheric sciences professor.
Robert Korty, associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M, along with colleagues from China, Norway, and the University of Wisconsin, have had their work published in the current issue of PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).
The team studied storm development from the Pliocene era, roughly three million years ago, and chose that time period because it was the last time the Earth had as much carbon dioxide as it does now, and the changes in climate from it can play a major role in storm formation and intensity.
Using computer models and simulations, the team found an increase in the average intensity during the period and the storms most often moved into higher latitudes – to a more northward direction.
“There seems to be a limit on how strong these ancient storms might be, but the number getting close to the limit appears to be larger during warmer periods,” Korty explains.
“They reached their peak intensity at higher latitudes, following an expansion of tropical conditions with warming. It is consistent with smaller changes in the same patterns that we have observed over recent decades and project to continue over the next 100 years. I think it gives us greater confidence in some trends we are witnessing about how storms may change in future years.”
Researchers today know that the oceans continued to be relatively warm during the Pliocene era, though there has been some uncertainty where waters were warmest. Their study found that the increase in average intensity and in the poleward expansion occurred regardless of where the greatest change in temperatures occurred in the Pliocene.
Korty says the study adds more evidence “that future storms are likely to be stronger in their intensity and to remain strong even as they move out of the tropics.”
The study was funded by the National Science Foundation.
Source: Texas A&M University
- Work Safety Group Releases List of ‘Dirty Dozen’ Employers
- Jury Awards $80M to 3 Former Zurich NA Employees for Wrongful Termination
- Growing Progressive Set to Hire 10,000 for Claims, IT, Other Roles
- Florida’s Home Insurance Industry May Be Worse Than Anyone Realizes
- Poll: Consumers OK with AI in P/C Insurance, but Not So Much for Claims and Underwriting
- Millions of Recalled Hyundai and Kia Vehicles, With Dangerous Defect, Remain on Road
- Apollo Accused in Lawsuit of Illegal Human Life Wagering Scheme
- Report: Vehicle Complexity, Labor ‘Reshaping’ Auto Insurance and Collision Repair