Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, with an analysis showing that climate change played a pivotal role in intensifying this storm. The analysis, released on Thursday, indicates that climate change contributed to a 7% increase in wind speeds and caused rainfall to be 16% more intense than it would have been without human influence. Tragically, the storm led to significant loss of life and destruction in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, with homes and hospitals damaged and roads blocked by landslides. The report highlights that ocean temperatures in Melissa's path were about 1.4°C warmer than before industrialization, providing more energy to the storm. Experts express concern that such extreme weather events could become increasingly frequent as climate change continues to escalate.
Hurricane Melissa's Fury: The Climate Connection
Hurricane Melissa's Fury: The Climate Connection
A recent analysis reveals how human-caused climate change intensified Hurricane Melissa, leading to devastating impacts across the Caribbean. Discover the connections between warming oceans and storm severity.
Hurricane Melissa brought catastrophic winds and rain to Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, claiming many lives and causing massive destruction. A World Weather Attribution analysis links the storm's severity to climate change, showing a 7% increase in wind speed and 16% greater rainfall intensity due to global warming. Warmer ocean temperatures, approximately 1.4°C higher than pre-industrial levels, played a significant role in this rapid intensification of the storm. Experts fear that such extreme weather events may become more common in the future, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.
