North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Regional Drivers and Trends

Abstract Using 42 years of reanalysis data, we investigate regional, storm‐relative characteristics of three groups of Atlantic tropical cyclone intensification: slightly, moderately, and rapidly intensifying. Probability density functions are distinct between these groups for vertical wind shear, s...

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Main Authors: Sharanya J. Majumdar, Samantha Nebylitsa, Philip J. Klotzbach, Cameron Masiello, Zachary R. Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-09-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104803
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author Sharanya J. Majumdar
Samantha Nebylitsa
Philip J. Klotzbach
Cameron Masiello
Zachary R. Michael
author_facet Sharanya J. Majumdar
Samantha Nebylitsa
Philip J. Klotzbach
Cameron Masiello
Zachary R. Michael
author_sort Sharanya J. Majumdar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Using 42 years of reanalysis data, we investigate regional, storm‐relative characteristics of three groups of Atlantic tropical cyclone intensification: slightly, moderately, and rapidly intensifying. Probability density functions are distinct between these groups for vertical wind shear, sea surface temperature (SST), and radius of maximum winds (RMW), but less so for relative humidity (RH). In the Gulf of Mexico and southern North Atlantic, shear and RMW are good predictors. In the open Atlantic, north of 22°N, shear and SST are the best predictors. In the Caribbean, weaker relationships suggest low statistical predictability in a region where RI cases increased between 1980–2000 and 2001–2021. Of our storm‐relative variables tested, increasing SST appears to be most closely connected to the 36% increase in rapidly intensifying events between the two periods, whereas shear and RH are not significantly more favorable. The variability across regions, periods, and variables motivates further investigation.
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-b04b75d9cc124244a8bd84d86a1807f82025-08-20T03:06:04ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072023-09-015017n/an/a10.1029/2023GL104803North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Regional Drivers and TrendsSharanya J. Majumdar0Samantha Nebylitsa1Philip J. Klotzbach2Cameron Masiello3Zachary R. Michael4Department of Atmospheric Sciences University of Miami Miami FL USADepartment of Atmospheric Sciences University of Miami Miami FL USADepartment of Atmospheric Science Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USADepartment of Atmospheric Sciences University of Miami Miami FL USADepartment of Atmospheric Sciences University of Miami Miami FL USAAbstract Using 42 years of reanalysis data, we investigate regional, storm‐relative characteristics of three groups of Atlantic tropical cyclone intensification: slightly, moderately, and rapidly intensifying. Probability density functions are distinct between these groups for vertical wind shear, sea surface temperature (SST), and radius of maximum winds (RMW), but less so for relative humidity (RH). In the Gulf of Mexico and southern North Atlantic, shear and RMW are good predictors. In the open Atlantic, north of 22°N, shear and SST are the best predictors. In the Caribbean, weaker relationships suggest low statistical predictability in a region where RI cases increased between 1980–2000 and 2001–2021. Of our storm‐relative variables tested, increasing SST appears to be most closely connected to the 36% increase in rapidly intensifying events between the two periods, whereas shear and RH are not significantly more favorable. The variability across regions, periods, and variables motivates further investigation.https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104803hurricanestropical cyclonesrapid intensification
spellingShingle Sharanya J. Majumdar
Samantha Nebylitsa
Philip J. Klotzbach
Cameron Masiello
Zachary R. Michael
North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Regional Drivers and Trends
Geophysical Research Letters
hurricanes
tropical cyclones
rapid intensification
title North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Regional Drivers and Trends
title_full North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Regional Drivers and Trends
title_fullStr North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Regional Drivers and Trends
title_full_unstemmed North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Regional Drivers and Trends
title_short North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Regional Drivers and Trends
title_sort north atlantic tropical cyclone intensification regional drivers and trends
topic hurricanes
tropical cyclones
rapid intensification
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104803
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AT samanthanebylitsa northatlantictropicalcycloneintensificationregionaldriversandtrends
AT philipjklotzbach northatlantictropicalcycloneintensificationregionaldriversandtrends
AT cameronmasiello northatlantictropicalcycloneintensificationregionaldriversandtrends
AT zacharyrmichael northatlantictropicalcycloneintensificationregionaldriversandtrends