Hurricane Sandy
As Hurricane Sandy bears down on the Eastern seaboard — laden with predictions of drenching rains, fierce winds, snow and extensive damage — some scientists are pointing out ways that climate change might be influencing hurricanes.
No single weather event, be it drought, snowfall or hurricane, is caused by climate change, climatologists say. Rather, climate change amplifies the intensity or duration of extreme weather, akin to “putting hurricanes on steroids,” writes Amanda Staudt, a climate scientist for the National Wildlife Federation, an environmental advocacy group.
“The answer to the oft-asked question of whether an event is caused by climate change is that it is the wrong question,” writes Kevin E. Trenberth, senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. “All weather events are affected by climate change because the environment in which they occur is warmer and moister than it used to be.” * Hurricane Sandy, rare 'super storm,' prompts East Coast preparation * Hurricane Sandy expected to make landfall early Tuesday * Hurricane Sandy churning in Atlantic; outer bands roil Florida * Three storms, dark forecast: 'Frankenstorm' a three-headed monster
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Hurricane Sandy poses several threats. Vast and slow-moving, it is expected to pour drenching rains and unleash powerful winds in the Northeast over a protracted period, perhaps several days.
PHOTOS: Hurricane Sandy, en route to "Frankenstorm"
River flooding could occur in some areas, though the lingering impact of the drought means that river levels and soil moisture are low and can absorb much rain before inland flooding becomes a real risk. Finally, a storm surge that may coincide with high tide and a full moon Monday could top Manhattan’s flood walls and enter the subway system.
Because climate change research into hurricanes is new, theoretical models of how hurricanes might behave may be less reliable than other climate models,
No single weather event, be it drought, snowfall or hurricane, is caused by climate change, climatologists say. Rather, climate change amplifies the intensity or duration of extreme weather, akin to “putting hurricanes on steroids,” writes Amanda Staudt, a climate scientist for the National Wildlife Federation, an environmental advocacy group.
“The answer to the oft-asked question of whether an event is caused by climate change is that it is the wrong question,” writes Kevin E. Trenberth, senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. “All weather events are affected by climate change because the environment in which they occur is warmer and moister than it used to be.” * Hurricane Sandy, rare 'super storm,' prompts East Coast preparation * Hurricane Sandy expected to make landfall early Tuesday * Hurricane Sandy churning in Atlantic; outer bands roil Florida * Three storms, dark forecast: 'Frankenstorm' a three-headed monster
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Hurricane Sandy poses several threats. Vast and slow-moving, it is expected to pour drenching rains and unleash powerful winds in the Northeast over a protracted period, perhaps several days.
PHOTOS: Hurricane Sandy, en route to "Frankenstorm"
River flooding could occur in some areas, though the lingering impact of the drought means that river levels and soil moisture are low and can absorb much rain before inland flooding becomes a real risk. Finally, a storm surge that may coincide with high tide and a full moon Monday could top Manhattan’s flood walls and enter the subway system.
Because climate change research into hurricanes is new, theoretical models of how hurricanes might behave may be less reliable than other climate models,