scholarly journals Extended Simulation of Tropical Cyclone Formation in the Western North Pacific Monsoon Trough

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 4469-4485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liguang Wu ◽  
Jingjing Duan

Abstract Previous studies suggest that the low-frequency background makes an important contribution to the predictability of tropical cyclone (TC) activity on the intraseasonal time scale by providing large-scale conditions favorable for TC formation. Extended numerical experiments were conducted to demonstrate additional low-frequency influence on TC activity, which results from the development of a synoptic-scale wave train. The cyclonic circulation of the wave train provides low-level synoptic-scale disturbances for TC formation. The observed TC formation events over the western North Pacific during 14 August–10 September 2004 were first successfully simulated with the initial and lateral conditions derived from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Final (FNL) Operational Global Analysis. Then the 27-day extended experiment was repeated only with the initial and lateral boundary conditions derived from the FNL low-frequency (longer than 20 days) background. It is found that the development of the synoptic-scale wave train can be well simulated with TCs forming in the cyclonic circulations of the wave train although the wavelength of the simulated wave train is substantially reduced in the absence of higher-frequency influences with periods shorter than 20 days. Sensitivity experiments indicate that the development of wave trains is sensitive to the initial monsoon trough structure. This study suggests that the synoptic-scale wave train can develop in situ and does not need upstream precursors.

2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (9) ◽  
pp. 3421-3433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huijun Zong ◽  
Liguang Wu

Abstract Tropical cyclones (TCs) always develop from synoptic-scale disturbances. While early studies suggested that the presence of synoptic-scale disturbances may enhance large-scale conditions for TC formation, recent studies argued that TC-precursor disturbances can establish a rotation-dominant area, which can play a crucial role in organizing convective activity and converting convective heating to rotational energy for storm-scale intensification. To demonstrate the synoptic-scale influence of TC-precursor disturbances, 91 TC formation events within the monsoon trough over the western North Pacific during 2000–10 were examined by separating TC-precursor disturbances from the low-frequency background. The composite analysis shows that the synoptic disturbances indeed enhance the mid- and low-level relative vorticity and convergence, but contribute little to reducing vertical wind shear. The dynamic composite that is conducted with respect to disturbance centers indicates that TC-precursor disturbances within the monsoon trough establish a rotation-dominant region with a radius of less than 550 km. The cyclonic rotation increases with time 72 h prior to TC formation and nearly all air particles keep recirculating in the core area with a radius of about 220 km. Analysis of a specific case suggests that vorticity increase occurs through the merger of mesoscale convective systems in the rotation-dominant area. The enhancing rotation in the core area may efficiently convert diabatic heating to kinetic energy for TC formation. Thus, it is suggested that the important role of TC-precursor disturbances in TC formation is the establishment of a limited, rotation-dominant area.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Fu ◽  
Tim Li ◽  
Melinda S. Peng ◽  
Fuzhong Weng

Abstract High-resolution satellite data and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data are used to analyze 34 tropical cyclone (TC) genesis events in the western North Pacific during the 2000 and 2001 typhoon seasons. Three types of synoptic-scale disturbances are identified in the pregenesis stages. They are tropical cyclone energy dispersions (TCEDs), synoptic wave trains (SWTs) unrelated to preexisting TCs, and easterly waves (EWs). Among the total 34 TC genesis cases, 6 are associated with TCEDs, 11 cases are associated with SWTs, and 7 cases are associated with EWs. The analyses presented herein indicate that the occurrence of a TCED depends on the TC intensity and the background flow, with stronger cyclones and weaker background easterlies being more likely to induce a Rossby wave train. Not all Rossby wave trains would lead to the formation of a new TC. Among the 11 SWT cases, 4 cases are triggered by equatorial mixed Rossby–gravity waves. Cyclogenesis events associated with EWs are identified by the westward propagation of the perturbation kinetic energy and precipitation fields. For all three types of prestorm disturbances, it seems that scale contraction of the disturbances and convergence forcing from the large-scale environmental flow are possible mechanisms leading to the genesis. Further examination of the remaining 10 genesis cases with no significant prior synoptic-scale surface signals suggests three additional possible genesis scenarios: 1) a disturbance with upper-tropospheric forcing, 2) interaction of a preexisting TC with southwesterly monsoon flows, and 3) preexisting convective activity with no significant initial low-level vorticity. Tropical intraseasonal oscillations have a significant modulation on TC formation, especially in 2000.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 1771-1787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jau-Ming Chen ◽  
Pei-Hua Tan ◽  
Liang Wu ◽  
Hui-Shan Chen ◽  
Jin-Shuen Liu ◽  
...  

This study examines the interannual variability of summer tropical cyclone (TC) rainfall (TCR) in the western North Pacific (WNP) depicted by the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR). This interannual variability exhibits a maximum region near Taiwan (19°–28°N, 120°–128°E). Significantly increased TCR in this region is modulated by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-related large-scale processes. They feature elongated sea surface temperature warming in the tropical eastern Pacific and a southeastward-intensified monsoon trough. Increased TC movements are facilitated by interannual southerly/southeasterly flows in the northeastern periphery of the intensified monsoon trough to move from the tropical WNP toward the region near Taiwan, resulting in increased TCR. The coherent dynamic relations between interannual variability of summer TCR and large-scale environmental processes justify CFSR as being able to reasonably depict interannual characteristics of summer TCR in the WNP. For intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) modulations, TCs tend to cluster around the center of a 10–24-day cyclonic anomaly and follow its northwestward propagation from the tropical WNP toward the region near Taiwan. The above TC movements are subject to favorable background conditions provided by a northwest–southeasterly extending 30–60-day cyclonic anomaly. Summer TCR tends to increase (decrease) during El Niño (La Niña) years and strong (weak) ISO years. By comparing composite TCR anomalies and correlations with TCR variability, it is found that ENSO is more influential than ISO in modulating the interannual variability of summer TCR in the WNP.


2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Wu ◽  
Zhiping Wen ◽  
Ronghui Huang ◽  
Renguang Wu

Abstract The present study investigates the influence of the monsoon trough (MT) on the interannual variability of tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the western North Pacific during July–November for the period 1979–2007. It is shown that the TC activity is closely related to the MT location. During the years when the MT extends eastward (retreats westward), more (less) TCs form within the southeastern quadrant of the western North Pacific. Such a relationship can be explained by the changes in large-scale environmental factors associated with the movement of the MT. An eastward extension of the MT coincides with warmed ocean surface, enhanced convection, increased relative humidity in the lower and midtroposphere, reduced vertical shear of zonal wind, intensified upper-level divergence, and low-level anomalous cyclonic vorticity over the southeast quadrant of the western North Pacific. These conditions associated with the eastern extension of the MT are favorable for TC genesis, while those associated with the westward retreat of the MT are not. Diagnosis of the barotropic energy conversion indicates that synoptic-scale disturbances moving westward from tropical eastern Pacific will gain the energy from the mean flow when they meet with the eastward-extending MT. This is an important reason for the linkage between MT variability and TC genesis over the western North Pacific.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianhang Li ◽  
Hong-Li Ren ◽  
Yujie Wu ◽  
Jianyun Gao

The intraseasonal variability of multiple tropical cyclone (MTC) events in the western North Pacific (WNP) during 1979–2015 is analyzed using the best-track dataset archived at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. MTC events are divided into three phases according to the time intervals of the tropical cyclone (TC) genesis, that is, active, normal, and inactive phases. Composite analysis results indicate that MTC events tend to occur in the active phase when the monsoon trough is stronger and located farther north than at other times. Initialized by the data from a 10-year stable running result, a 12-year control experiment is carried out using the hybrid atmosphere–ocean coupled model developed at the University of Hawaii (UH_HCM model) to evaluate its simulation capability. Compared with the climate observations, the model shows good skill in simulating the large-scale environmental conditions in the WNP, especially the subtropical high and the monsoon trough. In addition, the model can well simulate the climate characteristics of TCs in the WNP, as well as the differences in each MTC phase. However, the simulated frequency of TCs is less and their locations are more northeast, compared with the observations. The vorticity and moisture in the model appear to be the two main factors affecting MTC activity based on analyses of the genesis potential index.


2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (21) ◽  
pp. 5709-5720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsing-Chang Chen ◽  
Shih-Yu Wang ◽  
Ming-Cheng Yen

Abstract An effort was made to search for relationships between interannual variations of population, lifetime, genesis locations, and intensity of named typhoons and numbered tropical depressions in the western North Pacific during the 1979–2002 period. To support this research task, climatological relationships of tropical cyclone characteristics were also investigated for these cyclones. Major findings of this study are summarized as follows:Climatology: Measured by the intensity scale of the Japan Meteorological Agency, three groups of tropical cyclones were identified in terms of population versus intensity: Group 1 [tropical depression (TD) + typhoon (TY)], Group 2 (strong + very strong TY), and Group 3 (catastrophic TY). This group division coincides with that formed in terms of lifetime of tropical cyclones versus intensity. Weak cyclones (Group 1) have a larger population than strong cyclones (Group 3), while the former group has shorter lifetime than the latter group. For genesis locations, the monsoon trough is established as a favorable region of tropical cyclone genesis because it provides an environment of large vorticity. Therefore, the northward latitudinal displacement of the maximum genesis frequency in the three groups of tropical cyclones follows that of the monsoon trough.Interannual variation: Any mechanism that can modulate the location and intensity of the monsoon trough affects the genesis location and frequency of tropical cyclones. In response to tropical Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies, a short wave train consisting of east–west oriented cells emanates from the Tropics and progresses along the western North Pacific rim. Population of the Group-1 tropical cyclones varies interannually in phase with the oscillation of the anomalous circulation cell northeast of Taiwan and south of Japan in this short wave train, while that of Group 3 fluctuates coherently with the tropical cell of this short wave train. Because these two anomalous circulation cells exhibit opposite polarity, the out-of-phase interannual oscillation between these two cells results in the opposite interannual variation of genesis frequency between tropical cyclones of Groups 1 and 3.


2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
pp. 2006-2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Shang Lee ◽  
Kevin K. W. Cheung ◽  
Jenny S. N. Hui ◽  
Russell L. Elsberry

Abstract The mesoscale features of 124 tropical cyclone formations in the western North Pacific Ocean during 1999–2004 are investigated through large-scale analyses, satellite infrared brightness temperature (TB), and Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) oceanic wind data. Based on low-level wind flow and surge direction, the formation cases are classified into six synoptic patterns: easterly wave (EW), northeasterly flow (NE), coexistence of northeasterly and southwesterly flow (NE–SW), southwesterly flow (SW), monsoon confluence (MC), and monsoon shear (MS). Then the general convection characteristics and mesoscale convective system (MCS) activities associated with these formation cases are studied under this classification scheme. Convection processes in the EW cases are distinguished from the monsoon-related formations in that the convection is less deep and closer to the formation center. Five characteristic temporal evolutions of the deep convection are identified: (i) single convection event, (ii) two convection events, (iii) three convection events, (iv) gradual decrease in TB, and (v) fluctuating TB, or a slight increase in TB before formation. Although no dominant temporal evolution differentiates cases in the six synoptic patterns, evolutions ii and iii seem to be the common routes taken by the monsoon-related formations. The overall percentage of cases with MCS activity at multiple times is 63%, and in 35% of cases more than one MCS coexisted. Most of the MC and MS cases develop multiple MCSs that lead to several episodes of deep convection. These two patterns have the highest percentage of coexisting MCSs such that potential interaction between these systems may play a role in the formation process. The MCSs in the monsoon-related formations are distributed around the center, except in the NE–SW cases in which clustering of MCSs is found about 100–200 km east of the center during the 12 h before formation. On average only one MCS occurs during an EW formation, whereas the mean value is around two for the other monsoon-related patterns. Both the mean lifetime and time of first appearance of MCS in EW are much shorter than those developed in other synoptic patterns, which indicates that the overall formation evolution in the EW case is faster. Moreover, this MCS is most likely to be found within 100 km east of the center 12 h before formation. The implications of these results to internal mechanisms of tropical cyclone formation are discussed in light of other recent mesoscale studies.


2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1023-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liguang Wu ◽  
Huijun Zong ◽  
Jia Liang

Abstract Large-scale monsoon gyres and the involved tropical cyclone formation over the western North Pacific have been documented in previous studies. The aim of this study is to understand how monsoon gyres affect tropical cyclone formation. An observational study is conducted on monsoon gyres during the period 2000–10, with a focus on their structures and the associated tropical cyclone formation. A total of 37 monsoon gyres are identified in May–October during 2000–10, among which 31 monsoon gyres are accompanied with the formation of 42 tropical cyclones, accounting for 19.8% of the total tropical cyclone formation. Monsoon gyres are generally located on the poleward side of the composited monsoon trough with a peak occurrence in August–October. Extending about 1000 km outward from the center at lower levels, the cyclonic circulation of the composited monsoon gyre shrinks with height and is replaced with negative relative vorticity above 200 hPa. The maximum winds of the composited monsoon gyre appear 500–800 km away from the gyre center with a magnitude of 6–10 m s−1 at 850 hPa. In agreement with previous studies, the composited monsoon gyre shows enhanced southwesterly flow and convection on the south-southeastern side. Most of the tropical cyclones associated with monsoon gyres are found to form near the centers of monsoon gyres and the northeastern end of the enhanced southwesterly flows, accompanying relatively weak vertical wind shear.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (14) ◽  
pp. 5597-5603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xian Chen ◽  
Zhong Zhong ◽  
Wei Lu

The NCEP–NCAR reanalysis dataset and the tropical cyclone (TC) best-track dataset from the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) Tokyo Typhoon Center were employed in the present study to investigate the possible linkage of the meridional displacement of the East Asian subtropical upper-level jet (EASJ) with the TC activity over the western North Pacific (WNP). Results indicate that summertime frequent TC activities would create the poleward shift of the EASJ through a stimulated Pacific–Japan (PJ) teleconnection pattern as well as the changed large-scale meridional temperature gradient. On the contrary, in the inactive TC years, the EASJ is often located more southward than normal with an enhanced intensity. Therefore, TC activities over the WNP are closely related to the location and intensity of the EASJ in summer at the interannual time scale.


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