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Linkages of remote sea surface temperatures and Atlantic tropical cyclone activity mediated by the African monsoon

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL062600· OSTI ID:1402368
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Atmospheric Sciences and Global Change Division Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland Washington USA
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Abstract Warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in North Atlantic and Mediterranean (NAMED) can influence tropical cyclone (TC) activity in the tropical East Atlantic by modulating summer convection over western Africa. Analysis of 30 years of observations demonstrates that warm NAMED SST is linked to a strengthening of the Saharan heat low and enhancement of moisture and moist static energy in the lower troposphere over West Africa, which favors a northward displacement of the monsoonal front. These processes also lead to a northward shift of the African easterly jet that introduces an anomalous positive vorticity from western Africa to the main development region (50°W–20°E; 10°N–20°N) of Atlantic TCs. By modulating multiple African monsoon processes, NAMED SST explains comparable and approximately one third of the interannual variability of Atlantic TC frequency as that explained by local wind shear and local SST, respectively, which are known key factors that influence Atlantic TC development.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1402368
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 42 Journal Issue: 2; ISSN 0094-8276
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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