tropical storms Archives - State of the Planet

The Cyclones She Experienced as a Child Led to a Career in Hurricane Risk

Atmospheric physicist Chia-Ying Lee is working to improve our understanding of how tropical cyclones will evolve in the future.

by Christopher D. Shea |September 19, 2023

Understanding and Predicting Hurricanes in a Warmer World

Scientists at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory use models and observations to understand tropical storms and advance the science of predicting them.

by |July 13, 2020

Rain, More Than Wind, Led to Massive Toppling of Trees in Hurricane Maria, Says Study

The surprising finding suggests that future hurricanes stoked by warming climate may be even more destructive to forests than scientists have already projected.

by |March 9, 2020

Damaging Rains From Hurricanes Can Be More Intense After Winds Subside

According to new research, the rains that come once the storm has weakened may actually be more intense than when the storm is at its strongest.

by |December 3, 2019

Hurricane Maria Study Warns: Climate-Driven Storms May Raze Many Tropical Forests

Biodiversity could suffer as result, and more carbon could be added to the atmosphere.

by |March 25, 2019
tropical storm harvey forming in the gulf of mexico

Hurricane Harvey: Resources for Journalists

Earth Institute experts are on-hand to answer media questions about hurricane physics, rapid intensification, emergency response, and more.

by |August 24, 2017

Hurricane Experts: Earth Institute Resources for Journalists

With the approach of Hurricane Matthew, here are a few of the many scientists at Columbia University’s Earth Institute who can help journalists cover the story.

by |October 6, 2016

The Extreme Pacific Climate Now

The climate over the tropical Pacific is in an extreme state at the moment. That explains some of the extreme anomalies affecting the United States right now. It also gives us a window through which we can glimpse how even more dramatic and long-term climates of the distant past might have worked.

by |July 14, 2015

Rising Seas Pose a Growing Threat to Coastlines

The jury is still out on how tropical storms will change as climate warms, but rising sea levels will almost certainly place more coastal property at risk of flooding, says a team of scientists writing in the journal Nature.

by |December 5, 2013