Storm Intensity

During the last several days, Tropical Storm Alberto has been advancing gradually in the direction of east-north-east, in close proximity to Camper’s route along the Atlantic Ocean from Miami to Lisbon. The crew onboard have been tracking the Atlantic hurricane’s development and are taken aback by the atypical intensity of the storm.

According to my expertise and background on climatology:

A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows it is probable that “future tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes) will become more intense, with larger peak wind speeds and more heavy precipitation associated with ongoing sea surface temperature increases”. The studies performed indicate that climate change is altering the severity, rate of occurrence, and routes of tropical storms ("Storm Intensity."). This all was conjectured after noticing a global pattern of a rise in the severity of strong storm events in the last few decades.

Why is this, you may ask?

This can all be explained through the process of ocean warming.

The ocean is a natural and constant buffer for the atmosphere, meaning that its concentrations of carbon dioxide and heat are in equilibrium with the concentrations in the atmosphere. Therefore, when the amount of either heat or carbon dioxide rises in the atmosphere, they will also naturally increase in the ocean (Herr and Galland). These increases of heat and carbon dioxide modify the ocean’s physical and chemical makeup and shape a number of processes in the ocean – for instance, storms.

There are several consequences to ocean warming that affect storm intensity, the first of which is sea level rise:

As water heats up, its particles expand, causing the ocean surface to rise. Presently, the majority of the ocean’s surplus heat is located in a layer that is merely several hundred meters in depth. Over a period of time, this heat will disperse to deeper areas of the ocean. This causes greater expansion of the water and thus, prompts additional alterations in sea level. Changes this substantial will result in storms and floods to be of greater danger and have a more frequent occurrence (Herr and Galland).

The second consequence: heat is energy. While tropical cyclones are being formed, warmer ocean temperatures will directly heighten their energy and thus, their potential for destruction. Therefore, with increasing surface temperatures in the tropical ocean, it is probably this will result in (1) lengthier storm seasons, and (2) a greater frequency of storms. This intensification makes people, marine and coastal ecosystems, and our Volvo Ocean Race boat prone to risk.

Works Cited

"Storm Intensity." Center for Ocean Solutions. Web. 27 May 2012. 

Herr, Dorothée, and Grantly R. Galland. "The Ocean and Climate Change." IUCN.      Web.