Tropical Cyclones
Articles tagged with Tropical Cyclones
AMS Science Preview: “Ornamental twilight,” heat deaths, hurricane eyes
AMS science preview: AI forecast limits, unpredictable hurricanes, simplified heat index
New research from the American Meteorological Society explores AI forecasting limits, the impact of climate change on hurricane trends, and simplifies the heat index. The studies find that machine learning can outperform numerical physics-based models in certain conditions, but not universally.
Typhoons: the hidden lifeline in a drying world
Researchers found that removing typhoon-induced precipitation leads to sharply declining soil moisture and more severe drought conditions worldwide. The effect of typhoons varies by region, acting as a condition that exacerbates drought in some areas, while mitigating it in others.
AMS Science Preview: Hurricane slowdown, school snow days
A new study finds that U.S. tornado activity is shifting southeastward due to the relationship between extratropical cyclones and low-pressure systems. Additionally, global warming has led to a fourfold increase in tropical cyclone rapid slowdown events in coastal areas.
Category ‘6’ tropical cyclone hot spots are growing
Research finds that Category '6' tropical cyclones are increasingly common in hot spots such as the Western Pacific and North Atlantic, fueled by warmer subsurface water. Human-caused climate change is responsible for up to 70% of the growth of these storm-brewing hotspots.
AMS 2026 Meeting showcases atmospheric science and the “human factor”
The 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will focus on the intersection of technology and human decision-making in weather, water, and climate sciences. The meeting will feature keynote presentations, Presidential Sessions, and named symposia highlighting key Earth science topics.
Experts warn of wider health impact of tropical cyclones in a warming climate
Risks of death from kidney diseases and injuries are substantially higher in communities with greater levels of deprivation. Disrupted healthcare systems, environmental contamination, and prolonged stress contribute to elevated mortality risks from tropical cyclones.
AMS science preview: global heat record false? Rainier storms
Recent research from the American Meteorological Society reveals a false global heat record, suggests that severe weather events are increasing in frequency, and predicts an expansion of fire-prone areas. The study also examines the impact of cold wakes on tropical cyclone rainfall and finds that they intensify with global warming.
Interpretable deep learning network significantly improves tropical cyclone intensity forecast accuracy
A novel framework integrates Kolmogorov–Arnold networks with dynamic predictor pruning optimization to improve TC intensity prediction. TCI–KAN achieves superior accuracy in 6-h intensity forecasts, outperforming referenced best records by 31%, 13%, and 6%. The model's accuracy varies by region and TC category.
Purdue study uncovers why some hurricanes balloon in size and what that means for forecasting future storms
A new study by Purdue University researchers reveals that hurricanes grow in size faster when traveling over locally warm waters, which can help improve daily forecasting of hurricane size and impacts. This discovery has the potential to better model hurricane size in long-term risk models used by industry.
China Meteorological Administration improves tropical cyclone forecasting accuracy
The China Meteorological Administration has demonstrated significant improvements in both track and intensity prediction accuracy for tropical cyclones. The study finds that track forecast errors have reduced, particularly at longer lead times, while intensity forecasts have also shown advancements.
AMS science preview: New lightning record, fewer hurricanes, fire forecasts
Recent research from American Meteorological Society journals predicts a new record for lightning and a decrease in hurricane frequency. Additionally, fire forecasts have been updated to better manage water resources in Colorado's Gunnison River Basin.
Characteristics of the extratropical transition of tropical cyclones on different tracks in the western North Pacific
The study reveals significant differences in transition duration, location, and mechanism among four clusters of ETCs. Recurving ETCs undergo transition during track recurvature, while westward ETCs transform rapidly after landing. Northwestward ETCs typically undergo transition in the baroclinic zone, and abnormal track ETCs complete ...
International team identifies key to reliable tropical cyclone projections—realistic ocean warming patterns
A new review synthesizes decades of observational evidence and climate modeling advances to chart a path forward for more reliable TC projections. The team determined that tropical sea surface temperature (SST) warming patterns modulate TC genesis, intensity, and spatial distribution.
AMS science preview: Heat stress and height, eclipse effects
Researchers have discovered that urban areas experience a greater difference in wet bulb globe temperature between 0.5 m and 1.5 m above ground due to surface heat radiation, posing health risks to children and pets during extreme heat events. Total solar eclipses also alter atmospheric conditions and insect behavior, with some species...
Missed school is an overlooked consequence of climate change
Tropical cyclones significantly reduce school enrollment, especially for girls in areas unaccustomed to frequent storms. The study found that exposure to any cyclone at preschool age decreases the likelihood of starting primary school by 2.5%, with a maximum decrease of 8.8% after intense storms.
Hundred-year storm tides will occur every few decades in Bangladesh, scientists report
A new study by MIT scientists finds that extreme storm tides will increase tenfold for Bangladesh, with what was once a 100-year event now striking every 10 years by the end of the century. The country's densely populated coastal regions are expected to experience more frequent and severe flooding events as a result.
Hurricanes shifting south: Study warns of growing risks for coastal regions
A new study reveals a significant southward shift in hurricane formation over the North Atlantic Ocean, linked to changes in wind patterns and warming trends. This trend raises concerns about increased disaster risks for vulnerable communities and coastal areas.
Researchers make recommendations for promoting sustainable development in mangrove forest areas
Researchers from University of Jyväskylä recommend addressing vulnerabilities in coastal communities, such as uncontrolled shrimp farming and pollution. They suggest supporting environmentally friendly livelihoods like freshwater harvesting and agroforestry to promote sustainable development in mangrove forest areas.
AMS Science Preview: Tall hurricanes, snow and wildfire
Early online research reveals associations between snowmelt timing, wildfires in Alaska, and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones. The impact of climate patterns on extreme weather events is a growing concern.
AMS 2025 meeting promotes atmospheric science for a “thriving planet”
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
What happens in the ocean when two cyclones collide
When two tropical cyclones collide in the Indian Ocean, they can intensify considerably, leading to extreme interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. The study found that effects occurred that have only been observed with much stronger cyclones, including a cooling effect of three degrees Celsius and upwelling of deep water masses.
Improving hurricane modeling with physics-informed machine learning
A new machine learning algorithm reconstructs wind fields quickly and accurately, even with limited observational data. This enhances storm forecasting and hazard preparedness by providing valuable data on a tropical cyclone's intensity and potential impact.
Decadal climate patterns reveal new insights into tropical cyclone formation and ENSO link
A new study reveals how decadal-scale climate fluctuations impact tropical cyclone frequency in response to ENSO events. The FGOALS-g3 large ensemble model shows improved performance in capturing the ENSO-affected cyclone activity, highlighting the importance of accounting for decadal variability.
AMS Science Preview: Dollar value of forecasts; lightning suppression; “storm generator”
Researchers estimate the dollar value of weather information to be over $100 billion, highlighting its significant economic impact. The study also explores lightning suppression and a unique 'storm generator' technology that can create thunderstorms in Chinese desert.
Pinpointing the key size for rapid cyclone intensification
A recent study reveals that tropical cyclones with a critical inner-core size are more likely to intensify rapidly. The researchers found that this nonlinear relationship is driven by the balance between angular momentum transport and horizontal diffusion.
Why do typhoons like to cluster?
A recent study identifies key weather patterns contributing to typhoon clustering, including the Monsoon Trough pattern and other atmospheric factors. This clustering of tropical cyclones can significantly increase disaster risks and cause extensive damage.
AMS Science Preview: Wind farms affect typhoons; homelessness and heatstroke; Seacor Power
Research on wind farms reveals their potential to slow tropical cyclone winds and reduce precipitation. Additionally, a study found that people experiencing homelessness are four times more likely to suffer temperature-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, than the general population.
Climate change means that tropical cyclones in Southeast Asia are developing faster, lasting longer and endangering more coastal communities, finds joint international study
A joint international study found that tropical cyclones in Southeast Asia are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying rapidly, and lingering longer over land. This can lead to unprecedented threats from longer-lasting and more intense storms for tens of millions in coastal areas.
Groundbreaking study reveals oceanic seabirds chase tropical cyclones
Researchers discovered that Desertas Petrels follow hurricanes to take advantage of enhanced foraging conditions, where prey accumulates closer to the surface. The birds reduce their flight time and avoid injury by using the storm's wakes as a wind tunnel, providing them with an easy meal.
Climate: Increasing tropical cyclone frequency may have deadly consequences for seabird populations
Researchers studied the impact of Cyclone Ilsa on seabird populations on Bedout Island, finding that at least 80% of birds were killed. The study highlights the potential for climate change to have deadly consequences for seabirds, which transport nutrients from the sea to land via their guano.
Floridians’ and Texans’ perceptions of hurricane risk
Residents in Florida and Texas exhibit declining personal risk perception after hurricanes, with average risks decreasing as time passes. However, long-term proactive adaptations are needed to counteract the paradoxical effects of climate change on risk perceptions.
AMS Science Preview: “Outdoor days,” lightning, air pollution
A new study finds that extreme tropical cyclone rainfall is increasing across the continental US, while climate warming restricts 'outdoor days' for people living in developing countries. Additionally, air pollution increases mortality risks from heat, especially when combined with other factors like wildfires and reduced aerosols.
Global warming may intensify the modulation of tropical cyclone genesis by summer intraseasonal oscillation
Research suggests global warming enhances the modulation of tropical cyclone genesis by summer intraseasonal oscillation. The study found increased water vapor content and convective activity under global warming conditions, leading to enhanced formation density of tropical cyclones.
Hurricanes and power grids: Eliminating large-scale outages with a new approach
A new study published in Nature Energy finds that protecting a small but critical set of power lines can prevent large-scale outages almost entirely. The method identifies the most critical lines and increases the system's resilience, reducing the risk of major power outages in regions or cities by up to 99%.
Rapidly-intensifying tropical cyclones likely to increase flood hazard in the North Atlantic as climate warms
A recent study found that rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones (RI) are already more hazardous than normal TCs and will worsen coastal flooding under future climate warming. RI events may increase by 10-30% for each degree of global mean temperature increase, posing a significant threat to coastal communities.
How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery
A team of scientists has discovered eight new species of Hylaeus masked bees in the Pacific islands, including French Polynesia. The study reveals that these tiny bees likely rafted between islands via Fiji and the southwest Pacific, solving a long-standing mystery about their origins.
Tropical cyclone genesis projected to move toward the poles
Researchers found a poleward shift of tropical cyclone genesis on a global scale due to climate change, with the rate of TC genesis decreasing within latitudes equatorward of 15° and increasing poleward of 15° in each basin. The weakening of the Hadley circulation driven by increased upper tropospheric warming is attributed to this shift.
Secondary eyewall formation in upper- and lower-layer vertical wind shear simulated in idealized tropical cyclones
The study found that secondary eyewall formation occurs mainly in upper-layer vertical wind shear at low shear height and fake concentric eyewalls are present in lower-layer VWS at high shear height. Broad stratiform clouds were located in the downwind sector before SEF, leading to active convection on the inner side of the clouds.
Pusan National University researchers decode key airflow pattern impacting global climate
A recent study published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science reveals that changes in subtropical and midlatitude eddy activity control the variation of the Hadley cell edge latitude. The researchers analyzed 41 years of data and found associations with El Niño, La Niña, and the Arctic oscillation.
Global warming has a bigger effect on compact, fast-moving typhoons
Researchers found that compact, faster-moving storms are more susceptible to global warming's effects, while larger, slower-moving typhoons are more resilient. This discovery could lead to improved methods for projecting typhoon strength under warming conditions.
Finding new ways to adapt to a growing weather threat
A new study finds that tropical cyclone exposure is increasing globally, with vulnerable populations facing greater risks. The analysis reveals a significant increase in the number of people at risk from these storms, particularly among those over 60 and socioeconomically deprived.
Number of people affected by tropical cyclones has increased sharply since 2002
The number of people affected by tropical cyclones has nearly doubled from 560 million in 2002 to 792 million in 2019, according to a new study. The age distribution of those exposed has shifted towards older adults, while socioeconomically deprived populations are more likely to be exposed.
A fifth higher: Tropical cyclones substantially raise the Social Cost of Carbon
A new study found that accounting for long-term impacts of tropical cyclones raises the global Social Cost of Carbon by more than 20%. The increase is mainly driven by projected rise of tropical-cyclone damages to major economies, particularly India, USA, China, Taiwan, and Japan under global warming.
Unveiling the future of tropical cyclones: A call to enhance identification and simulation in climate models
A recent study highlights the urgent need to address uncertainties in tropical cyclone projections due to climate change. The research emphasizes the importance of improving predictive capabilities to refine climate adaptation strategies and safeguard vulnerable coastal regions.
Climate change brings earlier arrival of intense hurricanes
Research reveals that Category 4 and 5 hurricanes are arriving three to four days earlier with each passing decade due to climate change. This shift in seasonal cycle can lead to compounding extreme events and challenges community preparedness.
Greater excess mortality after hurricanes more recently and for most socially vulnerable in the U.S.
A landmark study reveals that excess deaths after hurricanes are more recent and prevalent in socially vulnerable counties. The research highlights the need for better access to resources, transportation, and warnings to minimize cyclone-related mortality.
Numerical experiments reveal initial wind field structure as crucial factor in determining tropical cyclone size and intensity
Researchers analyzed wind field structure of tropical cyclones to understand their size and intensity relationship. Vortexes with larger radius of maximum wind expand more under the same level of intensity increment, highlighting the importance of paying attention to incipient storms with large RMW.
Clarifying the trends of tropical cyclones over our oceans towards better predicting and coping with their destruction
Recent research reveals significant increases in tropical cyclone frequency in the North Atlantic and North Indian Ocean, while decreases are observed in the western Pacific. The study also shows varying trends in intensity across different ocean basins.
More frequent hurricanes raise risk to US East and Gulf coasts
Researchers find that changes in wind patterns caused by warmer tropical waters are steering storms closer to the US East and Gulf coasts, increasing risk for residents. The study reveals that this phenomenon is linked to stronger hurricane frequency due to climate change.
Phytoplankton blooms offer insight into impacts of climate change
Researchers examine phytoplankton blooms induced by tropical cyclones to predict climate change impacts. The study found a massive bloom in the wake of Cyclone Oma, which occurred once every 1500 years, and may indicate changes in ocean temperatures.
Tracking data reveals how seabird species adopt different strategies to cope with extreme storms
Researchers investigated how seabird flight characteristics vary among different species in response to cyclone-strength winds. Birds living in windier environments are faster fliers, while tropical species use strategies to cope with extreme events. Some albatrosses even avoid strong winds by flying into the eye of the storm.
Urban friction could strengthen landfalling tropical cyclone precipitation
A new study found that urban friction can strengthen the precipitation of landfalling tropical cyclones, leading to increased vulnerability for coastal cities. Urban surface friction and physical mechanisms make a significant contribution to enhancing rainfall produced by TCs.
Cyclone researchers: Warming climate means more and stronger Atlantic tropical storms
Climate simulations predict a 66% increase in North Atlantic tropical cyclones and 34% increase in inactive seasons by the end of this century. The number of strong hurricanes is expected to rise due to a warmer climate, posing increased risks to coastal regions.
Tropic cyclones on the rise in low- and middle- income countries yet remain least studied of climate-related events
Research highlights the need for high-quality studies on tropical cyclones in low- and middle-income countries to understand long-term consequences. The public health impact extends beyond injuries and cardiovascular diseases, affecting neuropsychiatric conditions and infectious diseases.
When cyclones and fires collide…
Researchers have found that cyclones and fires can interact in devastating ways, causing more damage than either event alone. The study suggests that high-intensity bushfires could be followed by cyclones, encroaching on previously low-risk areas and extending damage zones.
Tropical cyclones act as 'massive heat pumps' that fuel extreme heat
A new study by the University of Arizona found that tropical cyclones often follow extreme heat, which can be a major hazard after a storm. The research team analyzed 53 tropical cyclones and found that cities' heat index values were always warmer than average after the storm.
Enhanced observations for better forecasting tropical cyclones over the South China sea
The campaign boosted confidence in forecasting similar events with simultaneous satellite, aircraft, and balloon-based observational data. The results showed positive impacts on track and intensity forecasts of TC Mulan, as well as improved rainfall forecasts along the South China coast.
Where does the energy of North Atlantic Tropical cyclones come from?
The energy of North Atlantic Tropical cyclones comes from ocean heat content, with peak intensities related to extratropical North Atlantic heat. Coastal upwelling affects subsurface ocean temperatures, correlating with TC peak intensity on an interdecadal timescale.