Compounding effects of hurricanes and marine heat waves in the Gulf of America

Andy Chen

Exposure to extreme events is a primary concern for coastal regions where growing populations and stressed ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable. This study assesses the compounding effects of hurricanes and marine heatwaves (MHWs) in the Gulf of America. Using data from 1982 to 2024, we quantify MHWs through metrics of intensity, frequency, duration, and spatial extent, and examine their interaction with hurricane activity. Our results show that hurricanes have become more frequent and their active season has lengthened. Concurrently, MHW events have become significantly longer and more frequent during the summer months compared to spring or late winter. The convergence of these trends demonstrates a rising compound effect in the Gulf of America. These results underscore the need for further research into multi-hazard interactions to better inform regional disaster prevention.