What's wrong with fewer Atlantic Ocean Hurricanes?

Question

Ok, we've all heard the old saw - "Global Warming causes more and more severe Hurricanes." Al Gore himself points to Katrina as "proof" of Global Warming. We know the tune!

But a new study says it ain't so. As a matter of fact, because a warmer ocean produces more "wind shear," the number of hurricanes actually goes down in a warmer world!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-122warmwaters,0,5683000.story

Now remember, kids, these are scientists! They are RIGHT!

So, what's wrong with fewer Atlantic Ocean Hurricanes?

No, we're not discussing any other aspect of the Global Warming "disaster" PlayStation® Predictions. Answer the question posted, not some diatribe about your other "scary movie" type issues.

Answer 1

Nothing wrong with less hurricanes.  Did Al Gore say anything about the fact that we have had less big hurricanes in the two years since Katrina?

Answer 2

So I don't guess any of you live in the Southeast, which is the area battered by many of these storms.  Yeah, hurricanes are bad... but our environment depends on them.  Even if you aren't familiar with our area, you have watched CNN at some point right?  During the late fall, something like 90% of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and the Carolinas were under severe drought conditions.  Many places including metro Atlanta were placed under water restriction, and some places even ran out.  Lakes are 20-40 feet below normal levels.

Nobody LOVES hurricanes, but we need them.

Answer 3

Were they right when they predicted more hurricanes?  Or are they right now?

How do we know they are right now?  How do we know they are not just making excuses for their poor performance before?

How do they know there will be fewer hurricanes?  Will they change their story again if there are more hurricanes this year?

Can other people independantly verify their work?

Somehow, this looks like more guessing.

Global warming is a reactionary "science".  No one would have predicted that this winter would be colder and snowier.  Fact was that the believers did state that there would be warmer temps and less snow.  But now that there is more snow and colder temps that's now 'proof' the global warming is real.  Same with hurricanes.  IN 2005 when there were more hurricanes than average, this was proof that global warming was real.  Since there have been fewer hurricanes since, that's now offered as 'proof' that global warming is real.

No one can predict how many hurricanes 2008 will bring.  However what ever the number, in 2009 the number of hurricanes we get will be 'proof' that global warming is real.

Here's a great example.  2007 saw 2 Cat 5 hurricanes hit land.  Where the storms go isn't proof of global warming, however this is offered as 'proof' that global warming is real.

Answer 4

Less hurricanes?!?!? omfg women, minorities and pets will be hit hardest... it's all due to Global Warming!! [and Bush... of course ;)]

Answer 5

Because a season with few hurricanes can still produce storms that are more intense. For example, the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season witnessed, for the first time IN RECORDED HISTORY, two hurricanes making landfall as category 5 storms.[1]

NASA climate models "predicts that in a warmer climate, stronger and more severe storms can be expected, but with fewer storms overall."[2]

Edit: jbtascam – The Saffir-Simpson scale may only be 30 years old, but we have been able to measure wind speed for many more years. A Category 5 hurricane has sustained winds greater than 155 mph.

Second Edit: Note to Michael – Katrina and Rita were both notable Atlantic hurricanes. Each spent time as a Category 5 hurricane, but both made landfall as category three storms. Dean and Felix were the two storms from the 2007 season that made landfall as category 5 hurricanes. How about looking something up if you don’t know the answer before you start with the name calling?

Answer 6

It kind of depends who's paying for the study.

Answer 7

Global warming is about money for grants and programs... nothing more to it.

Answer 8

OK, I think I can easily explain this one.  The oceans have indeed warmed up significantly,and that excess 'heat' has to go somewhere. Yes,as some tropical storms were prevented from becoming huge hurricanes by unusual and powerful wind shear. The 'heat energy' is still there. What happens then is that 'heat energy' is forced northward,toward the north pole.  That 'transfer' of 'heat energy' already occurs naturally. What is different now is, there is a lot more 'heat energy' in the form of evaporated water. That interacts with the Arctic air as it flows southward,being displaced by the rising warm air,moving into the Arctic. This means that the enormous energy that makes a hurricane,is now released as severe and bizarre weather,in the Northern Latitudes. That is why, for many,who do not understand how weather works,wonder why it's so cold,if there's global warming. This past year ,we broke all records for 'sub-tropical' storms. Those are little hurricanes that form in the Northern Latitudes.  Usually ,hurricanes only form in the Tropics,not the sub-tropics. That instability in the weather in the Northern Latitudes will disrupt food crops from growing correctly,and will lead to major food shortages. So that's what's wrong with not having as many hurricanes.  They will still occur,and when they do,they will be monster storms! Climate change from AGW,will not be a smooth transition.  The weather will become more wild and violent,as well as more unpredictable.

Answer 9

Benjamine is a moron. First, it was 2005 when 2 cat 5 hurricanes made landfall in the Atlantic arena. They were Katrina and Rita.

For those who really do not understand hurricanes, they generate most of their power from the rotation of the cyclone that is created with the movement of air at different temperatures. But as everyone knows warm water creates winds as the warmer air rises. When these winds attack the top of the cyclone, the hurricane cyclone falls apart. You can see an example of this by stirring a glass of water. When you touch the top of the cyclone, it starts to fall apart.

All that mess means is that a major factor of global warming is the warming of the seas, hence the Gulf of Mexico. Thus, more, stronger winds will be created. Those winds will blow the tops off the hurricane cyclones and help keep the number of hurricanes down. That is basically what this new report says.

So for a guy from New Orleans, I personally will do all I can to generate global warming. I happen to like my home.

Answer 10

Fewer and more powerful (level 5) hurricanes.

Perhaps over time, wind forces that were strong enough to carve out the Gulf of Mexico will carve out a new  "Gulf of Texas".