Hurricane Melissa has been found to be significantly influenced by human-induced climate change, according to a recent analysis released on Thursday. This devastating storm, which struck Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, resulted in numerous fatalities and extensive damage. Homes lost roofs, hospitals suffered damage, and many roads were blocked due to landslides and flooding.
The rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution indicates that climate change increased Melissa’s maximum wind speeds by 7% and made the rainfall intensity 16% stronger. The study concluded that the climatic conditions facilitating the storm's rapid intensification are six times more likely now than in a pre-industrial environment.
Melissa drew energy from unusually warm ocean waters, with temperatures in its path approximately 1.4°C (2.5°F) higher than those seen in a pre-industrial climate. This warmth serves as fuel for the strength and speed of hurricanes. Climate scientists, including Theodore Keeping from WWA, emphasize that warmer oceans can lead to stronger hurricanes and increased wind speeds, which in turn correlate with greater economic damage.
This hurricane is a stark example of the alarming trend of rapid intensification, where a storm’s sustained winds can increase significantly within a short time frame. Experts note that a hurricane of this magnitude would likely have been less destructive in a pre-industrial scenario, highlighting the urgent need for action against climate change to mitigate future impacts.
Climate change not only raises the likelihood of such intense storms but also exacerbates their effects on communities, making rapid attribution analyses crucial for understanding the interconnectedness of climate events and human activity.
