Typhoon induced mesoscale cyclonic eddy a long neglected linkage between atmosphere ocean and climate

Abstract

This study investigates typhoon-induced mesoscale cyclonic eddies (TIME) in the western North Pacific. A total of 69 potential TIME candidates (1995-2018) were identified using global mesoscale eddy trajectory atlas and JTWC typhoon data. Subsequently, systematic analysis procedures were applied to those candidates. Analysis revealed that three cyclonic ocean eddies (COEs) were likely triggered by typhoons Rosie (1997), Nida (2009), and Ma-on (2011). Numerical modeling with a regional ocean modeling system (ROMS) reconstructed the ocean environment during these events. Semi-idealized experiments confirmed that typical TIME events arise from the energy transfer between kinetic and potential energy, with vertical diffusion and horizontal advection contributing significantly to COE spin-up. Divergence and vertical advection terms suppress excessive COE growth. Given the increasing intensity and slower movement of typhoons due to global warming, more TIMEs are expected in the future. Stronger, longer-lasting TIMEs may have significant climate impacts and should be a focus of future research.