Hurricanes and Coastal Carolina
Rising sea surface temperatures, driven by climate change, have the potential to alter hurricane behavior in ways that directly impact our community. I conducted a research project on how hurricanes have been affected by warming ocean temperatures, with a focus on what this means for our coastal town of Wilmington, North Carolina.
Through analyzing long-term data on global hurricane activity, ocean temperatures, and wind speeds, especially in the North Atlantic, I found that while the overall number of hurricanes hasn’t significantly increased, their wind speeds have been rising, making storms more intense and damaging. I also discovered that a growing fraction of the world’s hurricanes are forming or making landfall in the North Atlantic, which includes our region. These trends suggest that Wilmington is facing stronger storms more often, even if hurricanes aren’t becoming more frequent overall. This makes it increasingly important for coastal communities like ours to understand these changes and prepare for more severe impacts in the future.
Through analyzing long-term data on global hurricane activity, ocean temperatures, and wind speeds, especially in the North Atlantic, I found that while the overall number of hurricanes hasn’t significantly increased, their wind speeds have been rising, making storms more intense and damaging. I also discovered that a growing fraction of the world’s hurricanes are forming or making landfall in the North Atlantic, which includes our region. These trends suggest that Wilmington is facing stronger storms more often, even if hurricanes aren’t becoming more frequent overall. This makes it increasingly important for coastal communities like ours to understand these changes and prepare for more severe impacts in the future.
Meet the Young Scientist!
Arvin
16 Years Old
Arvin
16 Years Old
