Abstract

Climate Change and Hurricanes: Projections of Increased Storm Intensity
Track: Atmosphere, Climate, and Weather
Authors: Jennifer Boehnert, Olga Wilhelmi

Recent studies indicate that climate change can lead to changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration, and timing of extreme weather events. Central America and the Caribbean region have been affected by Northern Atlantic basin tropical storms and have experienced losses of human life and significant economic damages in the past. Projections of future storm intensity in this region show increases in average tropical storm maximum wind speed. This presentation will describe trends in future hurricane activity as simulated by the Nested Regional Climate Model (NRCM), developed at NCAR. Integration of projected hurricanes tracks and wind speed with country-level demographic data will be discussed in the context of potential impacts on vulnerable population.