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Although global warming does not cause hurricanes, the increase in sea surface temperatures enables tropical cyclones to become more powerful. Scientists have discovered that as ocean temperatures have risen in response to global warming there has been a rise in the intensity and duration of hurricanes around the world. This comes as no surprise to coastal residents of the Gulf of Mexico who saw extremely destructive and costly hurricanes hit Florida in 2004 and devastation throughout the overactive 2005 storm season.
Why are storms strengthening? Storms draw strength from heat in ocean surface waters. Although temperatures fluctuate, the higher the average temperatures, the more likely it is that the oceans waters will be warm enough to produce a strong storm during the hurricane season. So, the warming of the oceans associated with global warming increase the probability that storms will become more intense.
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