As we approach the last month of the year, the 2024 hurricane season has already proven to be an unusual one with numerous records and many “unprecedented” occurrences. One notable trend is that almost every storm seems to be “rapidly charged,” gaining strength abruptly and causing severe destruction.
Record-high ocean temperatures have resulted in more storms and stronger hurricanes worldwide during the 2024 hurricane season, up to this point.
According to an analysis by the non-profit climate research group Climate Central, nearly all hurricanes in the Atlantic during the 2024 season are stronger than in previous years (compared to average levels at the same times across the years). Specifically, the wind speeds of all 11 major hurricanes in the Atlantic this season have increased by 15 – 45 km/h compared to previous averages.
Summary map of the 2024 hurricane season in the Northwest Pacific, as of now. (Photo: Meow/ WikiProject, NASA).
The hurricane season in the Northwest Pacific (where storms can significantly impact East Asia and Southeast Asia, including our country) is equally remarkable with many records. Among these, Super Typhoon Yagi has been the strongest storm in the South China Sea in 30 years, causing severe damage in several Southeast Asian countries. Shanghai (China) experienced its strongest storm in 70 years (Typhoon Bebinca, which made landfall on September 16). Additionally, a rare occurrence took place with 4 separate storms operating simultaneously in the Western Pacific earlier this month. Furthermore, the Philippines was affected by 6 storms in just one month, all of which were powerful, with 5 making direct landfall.
6 storms affecting the Philippines in just one month. (Photo: NII, JTWC, AFP).
Out of the 11 major hurricanes in the Atlantic during the 2024 season, 9 have experienced rapid intensification – a phenomenon that rarely occurs. Super Typhoon Milton saw wind speeds increase by 152 km/h in just 24 hours, faster than any other storm in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States.
In the Northwest Pacific, this year’s hurricane season has also seen a series of storms rapidly intensifying, including Gaemi, Yagi, Usagi, and Man-yi.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States, at least 90% of the Earth’s warming (due to human impact) over the past few decades has occurred in the oceans. Hurricanes are “rapidly charged” thanks to this energy, causing them to intensify quickly and become stronger. Therefore, it can be understood that humans contribute to making hurricanes stronger.
Houses in Aurora province (Philippines) destroyed by Super Typhoon Man-yi. Photo taken on November 18. (Photo: Noel Celis/ AP).
Of course, there are other factors that cause ocean temperatures to change, but meteorological experts state one thing for certain: as global temperatures continue to rise, the likelihood of more frequent occurrences of stronger storms with greater destructive power will also increase, and significantly so.
