Marine heatwave events strengthen the intensity of tropical cyclones

Abstract

Marine heatwaves become more frequent and stronger due to global warming. It is necessary to clarify how and by which process marine heatwaves affect marine weather systems. Here, we examine how marine heatwaves strengthen tropical cyclones. We analyze 128 tropical cyclones that intensified with marine heatwaves and 184 tropical cyclones that intensified without marine heatwaves over the western North Pacific and Atlantic. Marine heatwaves finally lead to a maximum intensity of 35.4% stronger (106.72 kts) tropical cyclone. Notably, satellite data reveal that marine heatwaves are associated with precipitation-richer tropical cyclone conditions despite similar tropical cyclone intensities. Due to the increased latent heat flux during marine heatwaves, intensified precipitation near the tropical cyclone center contributes to the intensification process. This study provides insights into how more frequent marine heatwaves by global warming impact tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclones that interact with marine heatwaves increase their intensity by 35.4% in the western North Pacific and North Atlantic basin as a result of increased latent heat flux and higher precipitation, according to an analysis of tropical cyclone data between 1982 and 2019.