Cyclone Chido’s Strength Intensified by Climate Change, Study Reveals

A study reveals that Cyclone Chido’s intensity was exacerbated by climate change, with the likelihood of similar strong storms increasing by 40 percent due to warmer conditions. Chido, a Category 4 cyclone, caused significant devastation in Mayotte, sparking concerns about rising death tolls and damage in a region increasingly affected by climate impacts.

Recent research indicates that climate change has significantly intensified Cyclone Chido, which impacted Mayotte, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Conducted by scientists at Imperial College London, the study suggests that storms of Chido’s magnitude are now 40 percent more likely due to the warmer climate experienced in 2024 when contrasted with pre-industrial levels. As the most devastating cyclone to strike Mayotte in nearly a century, Chido, a category four storm, caused extensive destruction and is expected to result in a death toll that could reach the thousands.

In assessing the influence of climate change, researchers utilized a sophisticated computer model capable of simulating millions of tropical cyclones, given the limited availability of real-world data. Their findings indicated that wind speeds in the vicinity of Chido’s landfall had increased by approximately 3 miles per second compared to pre-industrial climate conditions. The study concluded that climate change effectively elevated Chido’s classification from a Category 3 to a Category 4 cyclone, highlighting the storm’s heightened intensity attributed to global warming.

While France’s weather service has not definitively connected Chido’s strength to climate change, they acknowledge that elevated ocean temperatures resulting from human-induced climate change have contributed to the increased violence of tropical storms. Furthermore, the trajectory of Chido over Mayotte exacerbated its destructive potential, indicating that the island bore the brunt of the cyclone’s full force. In light of these events, the current climate is approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than in pre-industrial times, a factor that scientists assert leads to a higher frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena. This rise in temperature allows for greater evaporation and enables warmer air to retain more water vapor, thereby intensifying the conditions conducive to tropical storm formation.

Cyclones are ranked on a scale from one to five based on their wind speeds and potential damages, with Category 4 storms being exceptionally powerful. The link between climate change and the increasing intensity of tropical storms has gained traction, as warmer ocean and atmospheric temperatures create conditions that can amplify storm energy. Recent climatic shifts, including a nearly 1.3 degrees Celsius increase since pre-industrial times, have further heightened concerns amongst scientists about the impact of human activities on natural weather patterns, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Mayotte.

In summary, Cyclone Chido represents a troubling manifestation of the impacts of climate change, underscoring the dire consequences of global warming on environmental stability. The research revealing the cyclone’s intensified nature raises crucial questions about the future trajectory of such extreme weather events. As the climate continues to warm, the risks associated with powerful tropical storms will likely escalate, necessitating urgent attention from both policymakers and global leaders to mitigate these effects.

Original Source: www.barrons.com