The Danger Posed by Super Typhoons Such as Typhoon Goni in the Philippines

Massive super typhoons and storms are becoming more common, such as Typhoon Goni, which struck the Philippines last Sunday. They may become commonplace in times to come.

Record storms

This week, there have been recorded powerful storms striking the Pacific as well as the Atlantic Oceans. It left scientists speculating if these are harbingers of even more powerful and destructive bizarre weather events in a future where climate change is at full gear or if they are mere outliers that stay well within the bounds of regular climate events. 

Our planet is surely and steadily becoming warmer, and as we can observe, our climate and weather are becoming worse. 

(Photo: Reuters Connect )
A view of floodwater and damaged houses in the aftermath of Typhoon Goni in Bariw, Camalig, Albay Province, Philippines, November 1, 2020, in this picture obtained from social media. Renz Adrian Ronda/via REUTERS

READ: 20 Left Dead by Typhoon Goni as it Ravaged the Philippines 

Goni and other storms and hurricanes 

Last Sunday, super typhoon Goni caused widespread destruction in many Philippine islands. Its winds had an estimated 195 mph speed, and it is the world's strongest storm that ever hit landfall, as recorded by the NOAA's NHC or National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Hurricane Center as well as the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 

Fortunately, Goni did not damage Manila and the surrounding provinces. It is bound for Vietnam, where it is expected to bring rains and milder winds on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the NHC reported that Hurricane Eta, a category four weather event, struck the coast of Nicaragua's country last Tuesday, bringing winds at 145 mph that caused storm surge, dangerous winds landslides, and flash flooding in some parts of Central America. 

The country's emergency officials ordered the evacuation along its coastline. Rains reaching 35 inches are expected on Sunday. This hurricane is 28th in rank among the named Atlantic storms in 2020, tied to 2005's record.

READ ALSO: Hurricane Eta: Batters Nicaraguan Coast as Category 4 Storm

Caused by a warmer Earth

According to the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere meteorologist John Knaff, storms are becoming more assertive. They occur at later dates because the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are warmer this year.

Knaff says that the Atlantic hurricanes this year may routinely happen if ocean surface temperatures continue to become very warm. The warmth gives storms more energy.

Typhoons or hurricanes?

In meteorological terms, hurricanes and typhoons are the same. Separate terms are just used in different regions. The western Pacific term is a typhoon, while the eastern Pacific and Atlantic word is the hurricane.

These storms start to form due to the hot water surface, sucking up the water from the surface and evaporating it. Once they rise, these water vapors begin to condense and form droplets. They then release more energy. Meanwhile, the low pressure under these rising masses of air collects more air.

Tropical storms formally become hurricanes when the winds attain a speed of 74 mph. Because Goni reached 150 mph wind speeds, the designation of "super" was attached to it.

Storms are getting stronger.

All over the world, NOAA recorded that seven out of 10 of the strongest storms occurred from 2006 onward. 

There have been 20 super typhoons with a Category 5 level having minimum wind speeds of 160 mph that struck the Philippines since 1952. 

Storms in the Pacific are naturally stronger than storms in the Atlantic. This is because the Pacific is much larger, with more space for the storms to get larger. Also, this ocean has a deeper warm water surface layer compared to the Atlantic. The Atlantic warm surface water layer is always overturned by the Gulf Stream and Florida Loop currents.

What is the cause?

Climate researchers and meteorologists say they cannot merely blame these storms on climate change. They need to consider all factors and probabilities and look at the long term trends.

For now, super typhoons such as Typhoon Goni look like they are here to stay and continue to torment vulnerable nations like the Philippines.

READ NEXT: Typhoon Molave in Philippines and Vietnam: 24 Dead, Dozens Missing

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