U.S. Hurricane Strikes
Has the amount or intensity of hurricane strikes in the U.S. generally increased over the past 150 years?
Correct Answer
As detailed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, the full record of U.S. hurricane strikes actually shows "a slight negative trend beginning from 1900 or from the late 1800s." Counting only major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, 5), the trend has been generally flat for 165 years. Likewise, global hurricane frequency, hurricane intensity, hurricane duration, and general rainfall trends have all been level for as far back in time as reliable data extend. Nevertheless, 63% of voters have been misled to believe that hurricanes and tropical storms have generally increased since the 1980s.
DocumentationHurricane TrendsLatest DataFalse Beliefs of Voters