Last updated October 15, 2021
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Hurricane Dorian August 2019

Bahamas

Hurricane Dorian is the fifth Atlantic hurricane in four years to reach Category 5 strength and is one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic basin.[1] Dorian made its initial landfall in the Bahamas on Great Abaco Island on August 31 with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. The storm proceeded to lash the northwest Bahamas for roughly 48 hours causing widespread devastation.[2]

The balance of evidence suggests that global warming is responsible for the increase in global average intensity of the strongest tropical cyclones since the early 1980s, as well as the increase in the proportion of Category 4 and 5 storms. Ocean heat content in the Caribbean is high, and Dorian gained strength passing over very warm sea surface temperatures of 30°C (86°F)[3], giving the storm plenty of energy to fuel intensification.

The science is especially clear when it comes to worsening storm surge and hurricane precipitation—global warming is making hurricanes worse. Sea level rise sets the stage for higher damage due to storm surge, and warmer air holds and dumps more water when it rains. 

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Hurricane Dorian August 2019 Climate Signals
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Global Warming
Air Mass Temperature Increase
Sea Surface Temperature Increase
Land Surface Temperature Increase
Atmospheric Moisture Increase
Intense Atlantic Hurricane Frequency Increase
Glacier and Ice Sheet Melt
Thermal Expansion of the Ocean
Extreme Precipitation Increase
Storm Surge Increase
Sea Level Rise
Runoff and Flood Risk Increase
Wind Damage Risk Increase
Coastal Flooding Increase
Hurricane Dorian August 2019