Two factors that contribute to more intense tropical cyclones -- ocean heat content and water vapor -- have both increased over the past several decades. Human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and the clearing of forests have very likely elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere which contributes to global warming and these two factors.

The link between stronger hurricanes and global warming is a theory and is not a conclusion of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is reasonable to theorize that some human contribution is responsible for the increase in strong hurricanes in the Atlantic since 1970, since this increase does correlate so well with the observed increase in sea surface temperatures. However, it is difficult to make a strong statement saying that global warming is responsible for stronger hurricanes, due to the high natural variability of these storms and the poor observational record.

There are no definite conclusions on the link between storms and climate change. Climate change is an evolving theory that will be the focus of scientists for many years to come. Preparation for storms is an important process for everyone living in Florida.