Impact of Climate Change on Cyclone Chido’s Intensity Revealed by Scientists
A preliminary study suggests that Cyclone Chido’s impact was intensified by climate change, with cyclones of its intensity being 40% more likely in 2024. The cyclone, classified as a category four, caused significant damage in Mayotte. A computer model indicated an increase in wind speed, suggesting climate change raised the storm’s intensity.
A preliminary study by scientists at Imperial College London indicates that Cyclone Chido’s intensity was heightened by climate change as it approached the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte. The analysis revealed that cyclones of Chido’s magnitude are 40 percent more likely to occur in 2024 compared to pre-industrial conditions. Cyclone Chido, classified as a category four storm, caused significant destruction upon landfall, particularly impacting the impoverished territory of Mayotte where makeshift housing is prevalent. The full extent of the devastation remains uncertain, but officials are concerned about a possible rising death toll.
To understand the role of climate change in exacerbating such storms, the researchers utilized advanced computer modeling to simulate numerous tropical cyclones and predict the impacts of recent warming. Their findings suggested that wind speeds in the vicinity of Chido’s landfall increased by 3 miles per second relative to the climate prior to the widespread combustion of fossil fuels. According to the study, climate change effectively escalated the cyclone’s strength, transforming it from a Category 3 to Category 4 storm.
While France’s meteorological service has refrained from definitively attributing Chido’s intensity to global warming, they acknowledge that heightened sea temperatures resulting from human-induced climate change have contributed to more intense storms. The trajectory of Cyclone Chido was a significant factor in its impact on Mayotte.
Global temperatures have risen by approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times, which has led to an increase in extreme weather events. Warmer air can retain more moisture, and elevated ocean temperatures enhance evaporation, creating conditions that fuel tropical storms.
The situation underscores the pressing need for further research into the links between climate change and the increasing frequency of severe storms, as well as the importance of preparedness in vulnerable regions.
Climate change has emerged as a critical factor in the escalating severity and frequency of tropical storms, including cyclones. Scientists have documented that a rise in global temperatures—exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities—generates conditions that are conducive to the development of stronger storms. Warmer sea temperatures can intensify cyclone wind speeds, resulting in increased destructiveness during landfall. Understanding the interplay between climate change and such weather phenomena is vital for disaster preparedness, particularly in regions vulnerable to extreme weather.
In summary, the implications of Cyclone Chido’s intensity and the role of climate change highlight the urgent need for deeper investigation into how global warming is influencing storm patterns. Scientists are increasingly concerned about the resulting increase in ferocity and frequency of cyclones, reinforcing the necessity for improved forecasting and protective measures, particularly for communities in vulnerable geographical areas like Mayotte.
Original Source: www.france24.com
