Researchers used 12 global warming simulations running the RCP 8.5 emissions scenario to model the amount of daily energy available to thunderstorms during 1981-2000 and during 2081-2100, focusing on the 5% of days with the most potential energy; the models suggest that the average amount of potential energy available on the highest-energy days, and hence the number of damaging thunderstorms, will likely increase over time in the tropics and subtropics.
Article #17-07603: "Increasing potential for intense tropical and subtropical thunderstorms under global warming," by Martin S. Singh, Zhiming Kuang, Eric D. Maloney, Walter M. Hannah, and Brandon O. Wolding.
MEDIA CONTACT: Martin S. Singh, Monash University, Clayton, AUSTRALIA; tel: +61412045513; e-mail: <martin.singh@monash.edu>
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