The North Equatorial Current and rapid intensification of super typhoons.
Nat Commun
; 15(1): 1742, 2024 Mar 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38453921
ABSTRACT
Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which traversed the North Equatorial Current (NEC; 8-17 °N) in the western North Pacific in 2018, was the most intense Category-5 tropical cyclone (TC) with the longest duration in history-3.5 days. Here we show that the combination of two factors-high ocean heat content (OHC) and increased stratification - makes the NEC region the most favored area for a rapid intensification (RI) of super typhoons, instead of the Eddy Rich Zone (17-25 °N), which was considered the most relevant for RI occurrence. The high OHC results from a northward deepening thermocline in geostrophic balance with the westward-flowing NEC. The stratification is derived from precipitation associated with the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone in the summer peak typhoon season. These factors, which are increasingly significant over the past four decades, impede the TC-induced sea surface cooling, thus enhancing RI of TCs and simultaneously maintaining super typhoons over the NEC region.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Commun
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article