Dangerous Storms: Hurricanes Peaking Further North, Typhoons Further South, than in Past

Powerful, destructive tropical cyclones are now reaching their peak intensity farther from the equator and closer to the poles, according to a new study. The results of the study show that over the last 30 years, tropical cyclones -- also known as hurricanes or typhoons -- are moving poleward at a rate of about 33 miles per decade in the Northern Hemisphere and 38 miles per decade in the Southern Hemisphere.

U.S. scientists documented the greatest migration in tropical cyclones in the northern and southern Pacific and south Indian Oceans.  This march away from the equator was not seen in the Atlantic, although hurricanes have registered increases in average intensity due to factors that may be counteracting the poleward trend seen elsewhere, the researchers said.

Dangerous Storms: Hurricanes Peaking Further North, Typhoons Further South, than in Past