The North Equatorial Current and rapid intensification of super typhoons

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 and Brian Ward ()
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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

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45685-2

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