I think the pop science theory du jour is likely to inflame debate on coastal insurance rates. From the AP wire:
The debate over whether global warming affects hurricanes may be running into some unexpected turbulence. Many researchers believe warming is causing the storms to get stronger, while others aren’t so sure. Now, a new study raises the possibility that global warming might even make it harder for hurricanes to form.[.]
Vecchi and Soden used 18 complex computer climate models to anticipate the effects of warming in the years 2001-2020 and 2018-2100.
Included in the results were an increase in vertical wind shear over the tropical Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans.[.]
“Which one of the two - warming oceans or increasing shear - will be the dominant factor? Will they cancel out? We and others are currently exploring those very questions, and we hope to have a better grasp on that answer in the near future,” Vecchi said.