News Earth

Mighty hurricanes get mightier

These and other strong tropical cyclones have become more powerful in recent years.

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

Some of the world’s strongest storms, particularly North Atlantic hurricanes, have, on average, gained wind speed during the past three decades, thanks to a warming trend in many of the ocean basins where such storms are spawned.

Peak wind speeds of some of the world’s strongest storms (2005’s Wilma shown) have, on average, increased during the past three decades, thanks to a warming trend in many of the ocean basins where such storms are spawned
LOOK IN THE EYE The strongest North Atlantic hurricanes, such as 2005’s Wilma (seen in visible light at left and in false color denoting cloud heights at right), have been getting even stronger in recent years, a new analysis suggests.