WHY HURRICANES ARE GETTING STRONGER
They’re getting more severe every season. What’s the link between these powerful tropical storms and climate change?
WORDS AILSA HARVEY
Did you know?
There are around seven hurricanes every year
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone – a rotating low-pressure weather
system that contains spiral bands of clouds, rain and thunderstorms. The
circling storm requires heat and moisture to form, and only occurs when the sea surface temperature is at least 26.5 degrees Celsius. The air in a hurricane region is unstable, with warm, moist air moving upwards and drier, cooler air falling. As the hurricane moves across the ocean, it draws in water vapour and heat, building the storm.