Hurricane/Cyclone/Typhoon Journal Entry

Warmer Oceans Linked to Hurricanes (February 18, 2008)

There's new evidence linking warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures to hurricanes. A study at University College London shows Atlantic hurricane activity jumps nearly 50 percent when the ocean warms just one degree in the summer months.

The study looked at water temperature data in the tropics since 1950. It matched the temperature data with hurricane strength and frequency.

The average tropical Atlantic summer ocean temperature was 81 degrees Fahrenheit. For every degree above that, hurricane activity (defined as the combination of strength and frequency) jumped 49 percent. There was a 45 percent rise in "intense" hurricanes, those with winds over 110 mph (175 km/h). The number of hurricanes of any size rose 36 percent.

2005 was the busiest hurricane season on record, with a record 28 named storms and 13 hurricanes. Seven of these were considered major hurricanes. That summer, the average Atlantic water temperature was 1.4 degrees higher than normal.

Other factors such as wind and water currents also influence hurricane activity. Some scientists say it's too early to jump to conclusions about the link between rising water temperatures and hurricanes. They say longer-term climate cycles may also come into play.