Typhoon Ragasa was a tropical typhoon that formed on Sep. 17, 2025 east of the Philippines. The storm achieved super typhoon status and is currently the strongest storm of 2025. It affected Luzon, the Babuyan Islands, Taiwan, Hong Kong, southern China, and Vietnam. The storm unleashed devastating rainfall, flooding, landslides, and storm surges.
Decades of research show that climate warming makes tropical cyclones stronger and more damaging. Warmer sea surface temperatures provide more heat and moisture to feed storms, increasing the potential for heavier rain. When asked if he thinks climate change plays a role in tropical storm frequency, David Wanless, an outdoor enthusiast and professor here at MTU, said, “Maybe, but do changes in temperature cause storms? Yes.” Sarah Green, another MTU professor researching climate change communication, explained how “hurricanes are getting stronger and they can carry more water and gain strength due to the rising temperatures of the ocean.”
Climate change does not only affect coastal weather. When it comes to the UP there has been significantly less than average snowfall in the winters of 2021, 2022, and 2024. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), from 1973 to 1999, 80 percent of Lake Superior froze 50 percent of the time. From 1999 to 2025 80 percent of Lake Superior froze over only 23 percent of the time.
Weather events like Typhoon Ragasa may feel far away, but they are reminders of climate change and the real world impact it can have. For the UP, it could range from irregular snow years to altered seasonal patterns.
