Changes in Atlantic major hurricane frequency since the late-19th century

The article below is another fine example of whenever climate data is more thoroughly analyzed, then the so called science of climate change turns out to be a pseudoscience to please ideologues, demagogues, and busybody politicians!

It looks like:

1. Any upward trend in hurricane frequency and intensity has started well before 1860!
2. Once you correct historical data before satellite imagery became available since the 1970s, the recent increase in hurricane activity is an artifact! Historical data is largely based on hearsay and newspaper reports not based on constant monitoring.

Unfortunately, the scientific paper below is not easy reading!

From the abstract:

"... To evaluate past changes in frequency, we have here developed a homogenization method for Atlantic hurricane and major hurricane frequency over 1851–2019. We find that recorded century-scale increases in Atlantic hurricane and major hurricane frequency, and associated decrease in USA hurricanes strike fraction, are consistent with changes in observing practices [e.g. satellite imagery only available since the 1970s] and not likely a true climate trend. After homogenization, increases in basin-wide hurricane and major hurricane activity since the 1970s are not part of a century-scale increase, but a recovery from a deep minimum in the 1960s–1980s. We suggest internal (e.g., Atlantic multidecadal) climate variability and aerosol-induced mid-to-late-20th century major hurricane frequency reductions ..."

Changes in Atlantic major hurricane frequency since the late-19th century | Nature Communications (open access)

Fig. 1: Recorded USA hurricane strikes and basin-wide frequency.

Fig. 4: Ratio of North Atlantic major hurricanes to overall hurricanes.