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Observed Relationship Between Sea Surface Temperatures and Hurricane Power in the North Atlantic Ocean
Observed sea surface temperature (blue) and the Power Dissipation Index (green), which combines frequency, intensity and duration for North Atlantic hurricanes.1 Hurricane rainfall and wind speeds are likely to increase in response to human-caused warming. Analyses of model simulations suggest that for each 1.8ºF increase in tropical sea surface temperatures, rainfall rates will increase by 6 to 18 percent.2 Image Reference: Emanuel1
References
- 1. a. b. [120] Emanuel, K.. "Environmental Factors Affecting Tropical Cyclone Power Dissipation." Journal of Climate 20, no. 22 (2007): 5497-5509.
- 2. [68] Gutowski, W. J., G. C. Hegerl, G. J. Holland, T. R. Knutson, L. Mearns, R. J. Stouffer, P. J. Webster, M. F. Wehner, and F. W. Zwiers. "Causes of Observed Changes in Extremes and Projections of Future Changes." In Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate: Regions of Focus: North America, Hawaii, Caribbean, and U.S. Pacific Islands, edited by T. R. Karl, G. A. Meehl, C. D. Miller, S. J. Hassol, A. M. Waple and W. L. Murray, 81-116. Vol. Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Climate Change Science Program, 2008.
Summary
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