One of the consequences of global warming appears to be not only an increase in sea surface temperature, but a rising of the overall energy flux at the tropical ocean surface. Some experts think that this increased surface disequilibrium may lead to more intense tropical storms. In the Pacific, a large ocean water area two degrees warmer than average spawned 20 typhoons this season. Eight hit Japan, and meteorologists there have openly attributed that nation's battering to global warming, according to the center.

The insurance industry is feeling the effects of heightened hurricane activity. From the 1980s through the 1990s, damages from catastrophes (primarily weather extremes) rose exponentially, from $4 billion to $40 billion annually (when calculated in 1999 dollars), with about one-quarter of that amount insured. In the 1990s, Federal Emergency Management Agency payouts for disasters quadrupled.

With the possibility of more problems to come, the United Nations projects that weather-related property and casualty costs from extreme events will reach $150 billion worldwide this decade. In the United States, some companies already have withdrawn coverage from Cape Cod and the southern coast of Massachusetts. After this year's season, the center expects that Florida homes and businesses will face higher deductibles.

“Not since 1886 have four hurricanes hit one state in a single season,” said Matthias Weber, senior vice president and chief property underwriter of the U.S. Direct Americas division of Swiss Re. “This year, 22 percent of Floridians were affected, and 2 million claims generated by hurricanes and tropical storms. In 2005, we expect the demand for catastrophe reinsurance to continue to rise. Over the last 10 years demand has increased about 10 percent per year.”