Threshold sea surface temperature for hurricanes and tropical thunderstorms is rising
Monday, December 6, 2010 - 21:30
in Earth & Climate
Scientists have long known that atmospheric convection in the form of hurricanes and tropical ocean thunderstorms occurs when sea surface temperature (SST) rises above a threshold. So how do rising ocean temperatures with global warming affect this threshold? If the threshold does not rise, it could mean more frequent hurricanes. A new study shows this threshold SST for convection is rising under global warming at the same rate as that of the tropical oceans.