Last updated December 4, 2018
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Hurricane Irma 2017

United States

Overview

Climate change is amplifying the damage done by hurricanes, by elevating sea levels and thus extending the reach of storm surge, and by loading storms with additional rainfall and thereby increasing flood risk. 

Climate change may also be driving the observed trend of increasing hurricane intensity[1] as well as the observed trend of more rapidly intensifying hurricanes.[2][3] 

In addition there is significant evidence linking climate change to the observed shift in the track of hurricanes such as Irma toward the US coast.[4]

Hurricane Irma maintained maximum wind speeds of at least 180 mph for 37 hours, longer than any storm on Earth on record, passing Super Typhoon Haiyan, the previous record holder (24 hours).[5] Irma’s maximum accumulated energy over 24 hours was the highest for any Atlantic hurricane on record.[9] The storm intensified into a Category 5 with 185 mph winds on September 5, making it the most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever recorded outside of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico where warmer waters make those areas more prone to stronger cyclones.[6]

Hurricanes are fueled by available heat. As global warming heats sea surfaces, the energy available to power hurricanes increases, raising the limit for potential hurricane wind speed.[7]

Irma intensified in the Atlantic from September 4 to 5 as it entered a region of sea surface temperatures ranging from 0.9°F to 2.25°F (0.5°C to 1.25°C) above average, relative to a 1961-1990 baseline.[8]

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