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The North Equatorial Current and rapid intensification of super typhoons

Author

Listed:
  • Sok Kuh Kang

    (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology)

  • Sung-Hun Kim

    (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology)

  • I.-I. Lin

    (National Taiwan University)

  • Young-Hyang Park

    (Sorbonne Université-CNRS-IRD-MNHN)

  • Yumi Choi

    (Korea Institute of Science & Technology)

  • Isaac Ginis

    (University of Rhode Island)

  • Joseph Cione

    (NOAA/AOML Hurricane Research Division)

  • Ji Yun Shin

    (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology)

  • Eun Jin Kim

    (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology)

  • Kyeong Ok Kim

    (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology)

  • Hyoun Woo Kang

    (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology)

  • Jae-Hyoung Park

    (Pukyong National University)

  • Jean-Raymond Bidlot

    (European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts)

  • Brian Ward

    (University of Galway)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Sok Kuh Kang & Sung-Hun Kim & I.-I. Lin & Young-Hyang Park & Yumi Choi & Isaac Ginis & Joseph Cione & Ji Yun Shin & Eun Jin Kim & Kyeong Ok Kim & Hyoun Woo Kang & Jae-Hyoung Park & Jean-Raymond Bidlot, 2024. "The North Equatorial Current and rapid intensification of super typhoons," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45685-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45685-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kieran Bhatia & Alexander Baker & Wenchang Yang & Gabriel Vecchi & Thomas Knutson & Hiroyuki Murakami & James Kossin & Kevin Hodges & Keith Dixon & Benjamin Bronselaer & Carolyn Whitlock, 2022. "A potential explanation for the global increase in tropical cyclone rapid intensification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Kieran Bhatia & Alexander Baker & Wenchang Yang & Gabriel Vecchi & Thomas Knutson & Hiroyuki Murakami & James Kossin & Kevin Hodges & Keith Dixon & Benjamin Bronselaer & Carolyn Whitlock, 2022. "Author Correction: A potential explanation for the global increase in tropical cyclone rapid intensification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-1, December.
    3. Yi-Peng Guo & Zhe-Min Tan, 2018. "Westward migration of tropical cyclone rapid-intensification over the Northwestern Pacific during short duration El Niño," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
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