Hurricane Melissa made more intense and destructive by climate change, study says

BBC
BBC 3M Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, intensified by climate change, which made such rapid intensification six times more likely. This event highlights the increasing severity of hurricanes due to global warming.
Hurricane Melissa made more intense and destructive by climate change, study says
Why it matters
Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest hurricanes recorded in the Caribbean, made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph. A World Weather Attribution study found that climate change made the atmospheric and ocean conditions that led to Melissa's rapid intensification six times more likely. The hurricane intensified from a tropical storm to a major hurricane in just one day, fueled by unusually warm sea temperatures. The study also indicated that climate change increased the maximum wind speeds by 7% and rainfall by 16%. While Jamaica managed to prepare for the storm, Cuba faced severe damage to infrastructure and agriculture. This event underscores the urgent need for climate finance and action, particularly for developing nations, as highlighted by experts ahead of the upcoming COP30 climate conference.
TOPICS

Climate & Environment Climate Change

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