Scientists have been paying attention to the North Atlantic, which has been anomalously warm over the past thirteen months, the warmest since records began. Meteorologists and climate scientists have been flashing the red lights for decades now, and what they see is a hyperactive hurricane season similar to or worse than 2005, when a record 28 storms formed, including seven classified as major. Six direct hits to the US coast, including Cindy, Dennis (major), Katrina (major), Ophelia (the circulation center hugged the North Carolina coastline like a weed whacker), Rita (major), and Wilma (major). For the first time in history, all the names for the 2005 season were used up, and additional storms used the Greek alphabet. Four had their names retired, including Stan, who caused massive destruction by landslides and flooding in Mexico and Central America.
People must be warned about the threats to the East Coast, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It’s extremely worrisome.
This is why I remain on Twitter; that is where some of the climate scientists are, and the media is nowhere to be seen writing about their work and warnings. Be careful and pay attention.
Ben Noll posted the below on Twitter. He points to a severe heatwave developing in Florida, warning that it will be a feedback loop that will not end for weeks.
A strong-to-severe marine heatwave has developed in South Florida's coastal waters amid the recent wave of noteworthy heat and humidity...The extremely warm water will likely form a positive feedback loop, with above average sea temperatures causing above average air temperatures and vice versa - a cycle that looks unlikely to be broken in the weeks ahead
A pattern of persistent and strong high pressure over Mexico is driving the situation. When superimposed with the long-term warming trend, it creates some downright oppressive conditions.Simply put, such widespread and severe marine heatwaves are a sign of the warming climate. They are only expected to become stronger and last longer in the years and decades ahead. This event is a glimpse at what the future holds.It's not just Florida that's being affected: a category 5 "beyond extreme" marine heatwave is active near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where it recently soared to 100˚F, a few degrees shy of the annual record. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, reached 101˚F this month, a degree shy of its annual record. The story has been similar for San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nighttime temperatures have been 5-10˚F above average in these areas, offering little or no reprieve from the heat.However, these locations can't hold a candle to Campeche, Mexico, which had a 26-day run of high temperatures exceeding 100˚F from April 23rd to May 18th. This included a ridiculous 113˚F reading on May 17th and a low of 83˚F that night, qualifying as 13˚F above average for the day as a whole.I hope these stats provide some context as to just how anomalous it's been out there. It's not just normal hot temperatures occurring in hot places: the upper historical bounds are constantly being nudged and we should really be paying attention.
There is a reason temperatures are rising near home. A heat dome is hovering over Central America and Mexico. I've searched high and low but can find nothing about it. I'll let you make your own opinion as to why that is the case. Jeff Beradelli shared some videos, though, which I share below.
The second amination shows the entirety of the Gulf of Mexico covered by a heat dome; it could act like rocked fuel at any tropical system and kill any coral colonies that are still alive.
COMALCALCO, Mexico, May 20 (Reuters) - Threatened howler monkeys have been dropping dead from trees in Mexico's southeastern tropical forests in recent weeks amid a nationwide drought and heat waves that have sent temperatures soaring across much of the country.
In the state of Tabasco, where temperatures are forecast this week to surpass 45C (113°F), local media have reported up to 85 deaths, while local authorities have confirmed the trend without providing a death toll.
In a statement over the weekend, Tabasco's Civil Protection agency attributed the deaths to dehydration.
A source from the agency told Reuters on Monday that monkeys have been confirmed dead in three municipalities of the state.
In a forest outside Camalcalco, Tabasco, volunteers collected the corpses of mantled howler monkeys (alouatta palliata) that died from high temperatures, before placing buckets of water and fruit to try to stave off more deaths.
Of course, more wildlife has likely perished, including more howler monkeys. We know the corals are dying; this is the world’s fourth mass bleaching event.
Climate Change is a food crisis. It's only May.