Recent decrease in typhoon destructive potential and global warming implications
Journal
Nature Communications
Journal Volume
6
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Chan, Johnny C. L.
Abstract
Typhoons (tropical cyclones) severely impact the half-billion population of the Asian Pacific. Intriguingly, during the recent decade, typhoon destructive potential (Power Dissipation Index, PDI) has decreased considerably (by ∼35%). This decrease, paradoxically, has occurred despite the increase in typhoon intensity and ocean warming. Using the method proposed by Emanuel (in 2007), we show that the stronger negative contributions from typhoon frequency and duration, decrease to cancel the positive contribution from the increasing intensity, controlling the PDI. Examining the typhoons' environmental conditions, we find that although the ocean condition became more favourable (warming) in the recent decade, the atmospheric condition 'worsened' at the same time. The 'worsened' atmospheric condition appears to effectively overpower the 'better' ocean conditions to suppress PDI. This stronger negative contribution from reduced typhoon frequency over the increased intensity is also present under the global warming scenario, based on analysis of the simulated typhoon data from high-resolution modelling. © 2015 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
decadal variation; global warming; typhoon; Article; climate; environmental change; environmental parameters; greenhouse effect; hurricane; isotherm; ocean environment; Pacific Ocean; Power Dissipation Index; sea; sea surface temperature; time series analysis; troposphere; typhoon destructive potential; wind; wind power; Pacific Ocean; Pacific Rim
Type
journal article