A new study found that tropical cyclones which are passing through East Asia are stronger and more intense than they were 30 years ago.
According to the study, this change might be attributed to the increasing levels of sea surface temperatures as well as a variation in the atmospheric circulation patterns above the coastal waters.
The changes in sea surface temperature and wind patterns mean that cyclones are drawn to pass along the coastal waters of the South China Sea and continue moving in an upward direction, creating the possibility of hitting north-east coast areas of Asia. By the time the cyclone has arrived in north-east coast areas, it has gathered enough energy which exceeds their usual maximum capacity.
Furthermore, the cyclones that hit Taiwan and Vietnam were formed too close to the land along the South China Sea, giving them enough time to gather energy and increase their capacity as they move towards the land.
Professor Chang-Hoi Ho, lead author of the study from Seoul National University, explained that these changes might be attributed to increased accumulation of greenhouse gases. "Noticeable increases of greenhouse gases over the globe could influence rising sea surface temperature and change large-scale atmospheric circulation in the western North Pacific, which could enhance the intensity of tropical cyclones hitting land over East Asia.”, he said in a press release.
He also noted that if these large-scale changes in the environment are implications of global warming, “it can be assumed that, in the future, more catastrophic tropical cyclones will strike East Asia than ever before.”
According to the data of the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre, the largest and most intense tropical cyclone recorded worldwide was Typhoon Tip which reached a pressure of 870 hPa (25.69 inHg) on October 12, 1979. It affected Japan and Guam.
The researchers intend to continue their analysis and use climate models to forecast cyclone landfall intensity in East Asia.
The study was published in the Jan. 16 issue of Environmental Research Letters.
