Earth Sciences

Marine heatwave events strengthen the intensity of tropical cyclones

H. Choi, M. Park, et al.

This groundbreaking research conducted by Hwan-Young Choi, Myung-Sook Park, Hyeong-Seog Kim, and Seonju Lee uncovers the alarming connection between marine heatwaves and the intensification of tropical cyclones. The study reveals that MHWs can boost cyclone intensity by over 35%, raising critical questions about the future of our marine ecosystems under climate change.

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Abstract

Marine heatwaves (MHWs), becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming, significantly impact marine ecosystems and economies. This study investigates how MHWs strengthen tropical cyclones (TCs). Analyzing 128 TCs intensifying with MHWs and 184 without, over the western North Pacific and Atlantic, the study reveals that MHWs result in a 35.4% increase in maximum TC intensity (106.72 kts). Satellite data show MHWs are associated with increased precipitation in TCs despite similar initial intensities. Enhanced latent heat flux during MHWs intensifies precipitation near the TC center, contributing to the intensification process. This research provides crucial insights into the influence of increasingly frequent MHWs on TCs under global warming.

Publisher

Communications Earth & Environment

Published On

Feb 07, 2024

Authors

Hwan-Young Choi, Myung-Sook Park, Hyeong-Seog Kim, Seonju Lee