Long Term Climatic Aspects Model simulations of hurricanes in a greenhouse-warmed world suggest that hurricane conditions may be generally weaker, but once formed, have the potential to be more severe. Model studies of hurricanes further suggest that hurricanes are highly sensitive to sea surface temperature. In a hurricane, heat is added to the atmosphere when water evaporates from the ocean surface. The heat content of a hurricane is its energy or intensity. The amount of heat and, therefore, energy that can be put into a hurricane is proportional to the amount of sea water that can be evaporated.
Evaporation can occur until the air becomes saturated with water vapor.
Consequently, the amount of heat that can be put into a hurricane from the sea is proportional to how dry the air is just above the ocean surface. Climate models and observations indicate that the water vapor content of the atmosphere will increase as the climate warms. In a greenhouse-warmed world, with more water vapor in the atmosphere and an increase in sea surface temperatures, the expectation would be greater heat energy within hurricanes and, therefore, an increase in the percentage of hurricanes that reach high intensities. He is also a Professor in Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences at Princeton University. His interest has been directed at understanding the behavior of the atmosphere and its implications for climate change.