Reply #13: Wind Shear is the key. [View All]

[AtheistCrusader]

If the air above the water warms, hurricane strength goes down, because the water and the air are closer in parity. If the water warms more than the cool air above, then you get the differential in temperatures that increases the power of a forming hurricane.

So IF the color of the oil causes more sunlight to absorb as heat in the water, and actually heats the water, then yes, we could see a reverse in the 'weaker hurricane' trend we've been seeing since Katrina. Meaning: stronger hurricanes.

Edit: On the 'right wing talking point' piece, I disagree with you. Talking heads like Al Gore, and some supporting papers have been saying exactly that.

"Now, the scientific community is warning us that the average hurricane will continue to get stronger because of global warming."
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0912-32.htm

But they say so specifically on the point of the water warming. If the water doesn't warm appreciably, and the atmosphere does, we can see the opposite effect. So, they DO say that, but for factual reasons.