Global Warming is a term denoting a gradual warming of the Earths average temperature.  The term has become synonymous to the Earths warming exclusively due to man-made effects, especially carbon dioxide.  Carbon dioxide concentrations have increased from 300 parts per million to 384 parts per million since 1900, with the most accelerated increase during the past 40 years.  Some scientists have drawn the conclusion that the increase in the Earths average temperature (about 1°F since 1975) is essentially solely based on man-made activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, biomass burning, and deforestation.

There has been a noted increase in the number of hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico since the mid-1990s.  The long term average is that ten tropical storms will form per year, of which about six will become hurricanes.  Since the mid-1990s the average has been fifteen tropical storms, of which eight have become hurricanes.  There has also been an upward trend in the concentration of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide
due to mans activities over the past 100 years.

During this time, hurricanes have gone through cycles where they have been more numerous, such as the cycle that we are in now.  Some scientists have drawn a one to one correlation between the Earths temperature increase and the number of hurricanes and their intensity.  As we have noted, the number one factor in tropical cyclone intensity is related to the atmospheric wind shear profile.  There is even some research that suggests that higher temperatures could actually increase the wind shear profile resulting in a decrease in hurricane activity.

The upward cycle in hurricane numbers is expected to continue for several more years.  If this trend were to continue for a considerably longer period, only then could one draw a conclusion that warmer temperatures have played some part to cause an increase in tropical cyclone formation.

Influence of global warming on hurricanes

Global warming is a term for a gradual warming of the average temperature on Earth. The term has become synonymous with global warming solely on the impact of human activity, especially carbon dioxide. The concentration of carbon dioxide from 300 ppm to 384 ppm has risen since 1900, with most accelerated growth in the last 40 years. Some scientists have drawn the conclusion that the increase in the Earths average temperature (about 1°F since 1975) is essentially solely based on man-made activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, biomass burning, and deforestation.

What are the effects of global warming on hurricanes?

It is a misconception that there is a common global temperature increased, hurricanes also must increase the number and intensity. The primary factor in the ability of the hurricane is strengthening or weakening of the height profile of the atmosphere – not water temperature. It was always warm in the tropics produce up to hurricanes. This temperature equates to a sea surface temperature of about 80°F.  If you study the behavior of hurricanes you can find cases where hurricanes have strengthened over cooler water and have weakened over warmer water.  There may be a small “boost” to a hurricanes strength as it moves over the Gulf Stream, if upper air wind profiles do not change much.  Some of the computer generated hurricane models have this bias built in and will rapidly strengthen a tropical cyclone if predicted to go over a warm pool of water.

The recent recovery in tropical cyclones was long before global warming was predicted a household name. The tropical Atlantic is known to vary in cycles, and the recent increase is expected. If you compare the period from 1900 to 1950, with 1950 and today is a true decrease in the average number of hurricanes and their intensity.It also is noted that the upswing in hurricane numbers over the past ten years or more has been only in the North Atlantic basin.  Other hurricane formation regions have not shown this same trend.

Summary

It has been an increase in hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico since the mid-1990th Long-term average of ten tropical storms that form one year, of which about six of them hurricanes. Since mid-1990 in the average, fifteen tropical storms, eight of which became hurricanes. There were also upward trend in the concentration of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by mans activities over the last 100 years. During this time have driven through cycles of hurricanes, where they were more numerous than the cycle that we have now. Some scientists have drawn one to one relationship between the growth of the temperature of the earth and the number of hurricanes and their intensity. As already stated, the number one factor in tropical cyclone intensity is related atmospheric altitude profile in context. There is research that indicates that higher temperatures can

The northern coast of Cuba has now been hit by Ike and once again a mass evacuation has been implemented. Wind speeds in excess of 120 mph are battering the area with storm surge and torrential rain causing widespread flooding. Nearly 50 people are reported dead on Haiti and Hurricane Ike has destroyed 80% of all homes on the main Turks and Caicos Islands (as quoted by the Turks and Caicos Prime Minister).

Hurricanes are formed when a strong cluster of thunderstorms drift into warm ocean water. They are known as Hurricanes in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, and Typhoons in the western Pacific. In the Bay of Bengal and Indian oceans they are known as Cyclones. (Whatever their name, they are all hugely destructive and damaging).  As the cluster of storms drift over the warm ocean they combine to provide a powerful updraft of warm air, creating low pressure at the surface.

The storm now starts to spin as trade winds blow from opposing directions and the continuing rising warm air decreases pressure at higher altitudes. To fill this low pressure air starts to rise faster and faster drawing with it more and more warm, moist air from the sea and driving cooler, dryer air downwards.

Now as the storm continues across the ocean it sucks up more and more warm air, causing wind speeds to rise as air is sucked into the low pressure centre. A fully formed hurricane has an eye of calm winds where cold air descends. Circulating around this eye is the warm, moist and powerful maelstrom winds and clouds laden with heavy rains of the storm.

As these hurricanes hit land they have a devastating impact and with a sea surge produced below the storm due to its intense low pressure much flooding ensues. This is often the main cause of death in a hurricane. But once they move inland they lose their source of power, the warm ocean,  winds will rapidly decrease but the rain bearing clouds are likely to take a huge amount of precipitation inland for many miles, often hundreds of miles.

Ike has now weakened from a category 4 storm to a category 3 as it passes over Cuba. The eye of the hurricane came ashore near Punta Lucrecia, 510 miles to the south east of Havana. The main concern now in Cuba is that Ike will head directly into Havana which is Cuba’s most populated city, and has many precarious and historic colonial buildings which would be under grave threat from a storm like Ike.

Hurricane Ike is about to enter the Gulf of Mexico and here it is likely to strengthen as it is fed by the warm Gulf. Its path is hard to predict but currently could be making landfall anywhere from Florida to Texas, so residents will be getting nervous as they are once again in the path of a potential category 5 monster in what is turning out to be a very active hurricane season

Australia’s weather continues to be a roller coaster ride with the southern states of the country looking at ways to combat a water shortage resulting from the ten year drought whilst the north eastern peninsula of Queensland and northern parts of New South Wales including Sydney are being inundated with torrential rains and flooding. Warnings for a ‘Flood Watch’ from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology have also been issued for some of the southern parts of New South Wales.

A ‘Severe Weather Warning’ remains in place for Queensland with dangerous surf and abnormally high water levels expected. Strong Easterly swells from tropical cyclone ‘Gene’ are causing a surge in wave energy.

Up to 62% of Queensland remains drought declared but at the same time 70% has been declared a disaster area due to the current floods. It is anticipated that once the flood waters recede there will be benefits to the local rural economies in increased levels in water catchments but the state will initially face a flood bill in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The capital of Queensland, Brisbane, had water reserves of just 20% before the current rains which are expected to bolster that figure significantly.

The rain has caused havoc with some train lines in Queensland being all but washed away and estimates of repairs taking up to three weeks.

In New South Wales flash flooding isolated parts of Wollongong north of Sydney, whilst in Sydney some roads have also been cut off due to flooding. It is forecast that a further 200 millimetres of rain could fall over the next 24 hours along the eastern coast of Australia with some parts of the state already receiving almost 300 millimetres of rain in the past five days. Sydney’s water reserves are now at about 60%

And while many people may be thinking that the drought has broken authorities are refusing to ease water restrictions. The Queensland State Government is progressing with a plan to limit household water consumption with a quota of 230 litres per person per day.

The southern state of Victoria continues to move ahead with plans for a water desalination plant and other water piping and infrastructure projects to combat that States water crisis.

The climate is changing. The earth is warming up, and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is happening, and human-induced. With global warming on the increase and species and their habitats on the decrease, chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally are diminishing. Many are agreed that climate change may be one of the greatest threats facing the planet. Recent years show increasing temperatures in various regions, and/or increasing extremities in weather patterns. What is Global Warming and Climate Change? Global warming and climate change refer to an increase in average global temperatures. Natural events and human activities are believed to be contributing to an increase in average global temperatures. This is caused primarily by increases in “greenhouse” gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
The impacts of Global Warming are, Rapid changes in global temperature, Extreme Weather Patterns, Rising Sea Levels, Increase in Pests and Disease, Failing Agricultural Output; Increase in World Hunger.
The United States is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. It:
• Accounts for roughly four percent of the world’s population;
• Accounts for approximately 23% of global emissions and 42% of industrialized country emissions.
The previously 15 member-nations European Union (E.U.), if considered as a whole (for it is more comparable to the U.S.):
• Accounts for roughly 3 percent of the world’s population;
• Accounts for around 10% of global emissions and 24% of industrialized countries’ man-made emissions of the six main gases.
Research has shown that air pollutants from fossil fuel use make clouds reflect more of the sun’s rays back into space. This leads to an effect known as global dimming whereby less heat and energy reaches the earth. At first, it sounds like an ironic savior to climate change problems. However, it is believed that global dimming caused the droughts in Ethiopia in the 1970s and 80s where millions died, because the northern hemisphere oceans were not warm enough to allow rain formation. Global dimming is also hiding the true power of global warming. By cleaning up global dimming-causing pollutants without tackling greenhouse gas emissions, rapid warming has been observed, and various human health and ecological disasters have resulted, as witnessed during the European heat wave in 2003, which saw thousands of people die. A growing concern from developing countries and various NGOs is the need for public participation and the effect on populations and poor countries that global warming negotiations have. The impacts of climate change will be felt on the world’s poorest countries the most. In some cases, climate changes have already affected some small island nations. Climate justice, equity and sustainable development are all important parts of this debate that are often left out of mainstream discourse. Equal rights to the atmosphere for all human beings and equity within and between nations are paramount.
An agreed principle was that of common but different responsibilities. That is, when the world’s majority countries signed up to climate change Convention (including countries like the US who would later withdraw from the subsequent Kyoto Protocol) it was agreed that it is today’s rich nations who are the ones responsible for global warming as greenhouse gases tend to remain in the atmosphere for many decades, and rich countries have been industrializing and emitting climate changing pollution for many more centuries than the poor countries.

Arizona has variety of weather conditions and is the warmest city in the United States. The climatic conditions in phoenix suits well to every people who lives in phoenix or to people who may come to Phoenix city .Most of the days in Arizona, Phoenix you can witness hot climatic condition so it is always good to wear sunglasses and sunscreen when you move out. During late April to June summer season starts and there is a very hot climate which reaches about 100 or more degree. Morning time is very pleasant but the day gets very hot and in the evening it gets back to a cool climate. Highest summer temperature that has hit the phoenix city was in 1984 which was about 113 degree Celsius. During April to June only there is only very little rain in Phoenix, Arizona. The monsoon season in Phoenix,Arizona starts around June and goes till September which brings much more humidity to the heat and increased chances for thunderstorms. It is very necessary that you have to drink plenty of water and make your body cool during this sunny weather. Winter starts around late November and lasts till February. Winter season in Phoenix, AZ is really beautiful and pleasant as the temperature never goes beyond 80 degrees. Also there is be a huge down pour of snow falls which will make phoenix roads to go white in color. There are also chances of occasional thunderstorm, but average rainfall each month is less than one inch during winter. You can expect a very good rainfall during mid January to march. There is nearly 2.5 inch rainfall during rainy seasons. There are several chances of thunderstorm and heavy down pour during these seasons.

June 1st ushered in the beginning of yet another hurricane season. As the storms begin brewing in the warm Atlantic waters, nervous homeowners are wondering, “Will a hurricane damage my home this time around?” Perhaps. Especially if you live in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island, or New York. These seventeen states and Washington DC are regularly pounded on by hurricanes.

Residents living in these areas suffer from devastating water damage and property losses each hurricane season. To make it even more devastating, some of this water damage is NOT covered by your homeowner’s insurance and even if it is, high insurance deductibles apply.

After a hurricane damages your home, your insurance company needs to assess the damage. Not only will your insurer confirm that your home has been damaged, if water damage is involved, your insurance company will need to determine whether or not the damage is covered. For example, if the water surged into your house due to the storm surge, that’s considered flooding. Unless you have a national flood insurance policy, the water damage will not be covered by insurance.

On the other hand, if your home’s roof was blown off and the rain came pouring in, then it’s more likely that you’ll have coverage for the resulting water damage. After all, it wasn’t a flood that caused the water, it was the wind that blew your roof off and exposed your home to torrential rains.

If you’re lucky and the water damaged is covered by your insurance policy, you’ll be responsible for paying your insurance deductible. However, in the above mentioned hurricane-prone states as well as the state of Hawaii, different insurance deductibles apply when a hurricane is involved. It’s important to understand your state’s hurricane deductible options so that you can plan accordingly. While each state has its own unique laws in this area, in general, hurricane deductibles are much higher than your standard insurance deductible.

For example, you may be required to pay a percentage of your home’s total value rather than a small fixed fee as a deductible. This difference can be dramatic and you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars of out of pocket expenses before the insurance company pays a penny.

Hurricane deductibles are higher because of historically high hurricane losses in these states. Not only do hurricane force winds blow off roofs and smash trees into homes, extensive flooding occurs. Between the torrential rains, coastal flooding, and storm surges, water damage is inevitable when a hurricane blows through.

If you’re reading this now, before hurricane and water damage have affected your home, now’s a good time to prepare for future hurricanes. Do you fully understand your insurance policy? Have you reviewed all hurricane deductible options and selected the one that makes the most sense for your financial situation? Have you looked into a flood insurance policy? Do you have storm shutters? Do you know how to secure your garage door against high winds? Have you considered roof retrofitting? Have you installed hurricane straps? Have you looked at flood maps? Do you have an evacuation plan? Do you have a plan for returning home and dealing with the wind and water damage?

If you’re reading this now, after a hurricane has ravaged your home and you’re faced with a home full of water damage, you’ve got a soggy, heart-wrenching task ahead of you – and time is critical. Hurricanes and water damage bring with them an unwelcome after effect: mold. High humidity levels after a hurricane mean that you have to work quickly to dry out your home and prevent a mold infestation. The sooner you can get in and start draining, drying, disinfecting, and cleaning up, the better.

Unfortunately, hurricane water damage is rarely minimal and you’ll likely need professional help. Look for a water damage expert with industrial blowers and portable generators as power may be out for several days. You can’t afford to wait for the power to come back or else you may have an unpleasant black monster to deal with, too.