Oceanic memory of tropical cyclones moderates the Kuroshio current

Deyuan Zhang, Zhanhong Ma (), Lijing Cheng (), Yanluan Lin, Fanghua Xu, Zhengguang Zhang, Yunxia Zheng, Jianfang Fei and Michael E. Mann
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Deyuan Zhang: National University of Defense Technology
Zhanhong Ma: National University of Defense Technology
Lijing Cheng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yanluan Lin: Tsinghua University
Fanghua Xu: Tsinghua University
Zhengguang Zhang: Ocean University of China
Yunxia Zheng: China Meteorological Administration
Jianfang Fei: National University of Defense Technology
Michael E. Mann: Pennsylvania State University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Tropical cyclones (TCs) dramatically disturb the upper ocean and leave subsurface temperature anomalies that persist beyond their lifetimes, representing an oceanic “memory” of TC activity. How this long-term memory affects large-scale ocean circulation remains an open question. Here, we use high-resolution (~0.1°) numerical experiments, in combination with observations, to assess TCʼs impacts on the Kuroshio current. We show that, collectively, Western North Pacific TCs induce subsurface warming to the right of the Kuroshio due to enhanced mixing and downwelling, and cooling along the Kuroshio main axis primarily through upwelling. In the climatological mean, TCs strengthen the upper right flank of the Kuroshio by ~15% while weakening its main axis by ~4% through geostrophic processes, resulting in a net reduction of the Kuroshio’s meridional heat transport by 0.02 ± 0.02 PW. On seasonal and interannual scales, TC-induced changes are comparable to the background variability of the Kuroshio, highlighting the long-term cumulative impacts of TCs on ocean circulations and climate.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62239-2

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