This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday, 7 February 2024
Blow It!
Hurricane strength is currently classified, 1-5, on the Saffir-Simpson scale of wind speed. Global heating is, however, putting extra energy into the planet's weather systems, making storms stronger. A report in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences consequently advocates adding a new category 6 for hurricanes (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/05/hurricanes-becoming-so-strong-that-new-category-needed-study-says). In the last decade, 5 storms have had sustained wind speeds of 192 mph (faster than a Ferrari) or higher. The report notes that hurricanes are getting more frequent and stronger. A modification to the Saffir-Simpson scale is needed, they feel, to accommodate this change. Category 6 hurricanes would be an order of magnitude more dangerous. Perhaps the new category would make this clearer to folk?
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