Does the Pacific meridional mode dominantly affect tropical cyclogenesis in the western North Pacific?

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 3469-3483
Author(s):  
Hongjie Zhang ◽  
Liang Wu ◽  
Ronghui Huang ◽  
Jau-Ming Chen ◽  
Tao Feng
Keyword(s):  
North Pacific ◽  
Western North Pacific ◽  
Tropical Cyclogenesis ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Meridional Mode ◽  
Pacific Meridional Mode

scholarly journals Strong Modulation of the Pacific Meridional Mode on the Occurrence of Intense Tropical Cyclones over the Western North Pacific

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (19) ◽  
pp. 7739-7749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si Gao ◽  
Langfeng Zhu ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Zhifan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Western North Pacific ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Low Level ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Main Development ◽  
Development Region ◽  
Meridional Mode ◽  
Pacific Meridional Mode

This study finds a significant positive correlation between the Pacific meridional mode (PMM) index and the frequency of intense tropical cyclones (TCs) over the western North Pacific (WNP) during the peak TC season (June–November). The PMM influences the occurrence of intense TCs mainly by modulating large-scale dynamical conditions over the main development region. During the positive PMM phase, anomalous off-equatorial heating in the eastern Pacific induces anomalous low-level westerlies (and cyclonic flow) and upper-level easterlies (and anticyclonic flow) over a large portion of the main development region through a Matsuno–Gill-type Rossby wave response. The resulting weaker vertical wind shear and larger low-level relative vorticity favor the genesis of intense TCs over the southeastern part of the WNP and their subsequent intensification over the main development region. The PMM index would therefore be a valuable predictor for the frequency of intense TCs over the WNP.

scholarly journals The Pacific Meridional Mode and the Occurrence of Tropical Cyclones in the Western North Pacific

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 381-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Zhang ◽  
G. A. Vecchi ◽  
H. Murakami ◽  
G. Villarini ◽  
L. Jia
Keyword(s):  
North Pacific ◽  
Western North Pacific ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Northwestern Part ◽  
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Cyclonic Flow ◽  
Meridional Mode ◽  
Pacific Meridional Mode

Abstract This study investigates the association between the Pacific meridional mode (PMM) and tropical cyclone (TC) activity in the western North Pacific (WNP). It is found that the positive PMM phase favors the occurrence of TCs in the WNP while the negative PMM phase inhibits the occurrence of TCs there. Observed relationships are consistent with those from a long-term preindustrial control experiment (1000 yr) of a high-resolution TC-resolving Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Forecast-Oriented Low Ocean Resolution (FLOR) coupled climate model. The diagnostic relationship between the PMM and TCs in observations and the model is further supported by sensitivity experiments with FLOR. The modulation of TC genesis by the PMM is primarily through the anomalous zonal vertical wind shear (ZVWS) changes in the WNP, especially in the southeastern WNP. The anomalous ZVWS can be attributed to the responses of the atmosphere to the anomalous warming in the northwestern part of the PMM pattern during the positive PMM phase, which resembles a classic Matsuno–Gill pattern. Such influences on TC genesis are strengthened by a cyclonic flow over the WNP. The significant relationship between TCs and the PMM identified here may provide a useful reference for seasonal forecasting of TCs and interpreting changes in TC activity in the WNP.

scholarly journals Interannual and interdecadal impact of Western North Pacific Subtropical High on tropical cyclone activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 2237-2248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Xiaochun Wang ◽  
Li Tao
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Western North Pacific ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Subtropical High ◽  
Interdecadal Change ◽  
Steering Flow ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies ◽  
Peak Phase

AbstractIn this study, we analyzed the impacts of Western North Pacific Subtropical High (WNPSH) on tropical cyclone (TC) activity on both interannual and interdecadal timescales. Based on a clustering analysis method, we grouped TCs in the Western North Pacific into three clusters according to their track patterns. We mainly focus on Cluster 1 (C1) TCs in this work, which is characterized by forming north of 15° N and moving northward. On interannual timescale, the number of C1 TCs is influenced by the intensity variability of the WNPSH, which is represented by the first Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) of 850 hPa geopotential height of the region. The WNPSH itself is modulated by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation at its peak phase in the previous winter, as well as Indian and Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperature anomalies in following seasons. The second EOF mode shows the interdecadal change of WNPSH intensity. The interdecadal variability of WNPSH intensity related to the Pacific climate regime shift could cause anomalies of the steering flow, and lead to the longitudinal shift of C1 TC track. Negative phases of interdecadal Pacific oscillation are associated with easterly anomaly of steering flow, westward shift of C1 TC track, and large TC impact on the East Asia coastal area.

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