How Climate Change Is Fueling Stronger Hurricanes: QuickTake

Climate change is cranking up the intensity of tropical cyclones. Known as hurricanes or typhoons depending on where they’re spawned, these spinning storms are becoming more potent as warmer seas and a hotter atmosphere provide more fuel.

Ocean temperatures have been breaking heat records, in some places approaching the feel of a comfortable bath, and ramped-up evaporation rates are loading cyclones with trillions of gallons of rainfall. At the same time, wind shear that can help keep storms in check has been weakening in some parts of the world as sea temperatures rise.

Sources: University og Maine, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminsitration

While there’s no clear evidence that ...