No, It’s Not Global Warming

Via Sykes writes:

From ABC News Online:

The current cycle of heavy hurricanes blowing across the Atlantic Ocean probably will continue for another 10 to 20 years as a result of natural weather patterns not global warming, the head of the National Hurricane Centre told the US Congress.

“We believe this heightened period of hurricane activity will continue ... as tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic is cyclical,” Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami, said.

Mr Mayfield said another three to six tropical storms, which could turn into hurricanes, are expected to strike before the end of 2005, making a total of 18 to 21 for the year.

He dismissed the possibility that global warming could be playing a major role in the growing number of tropical storms.

“The increased activity since 1995 is due to natural cycles of hurricane activity driven by the Atlantic Ocean itself along with the atmosphere above it and not enhanced substantially by global warming,” Mr Mayfield said.