Interactions of tropical cyclones with global energy and water cycles

Abstract

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are powerful weather phenomena that substantially alter Earth’s energy and water budgets. In this Review, we discuss the interactions of TCs with global energy and water cycles across various spatial and temporal scales. TCs annually extract a substantial amount of heat (0.17–0.25 PW) and water (1.9–2.8 × 1015 kg yr−1) from the ocean, and account for 8–17% of tropical precipitation. In the days (up to 1 month) after a TC, the generated Rossby wave trains can affect the development of subsequent TCs. Similarly, cold wakes left at the ocean surface modulate subsequent TC activity and regional winds, clouds, rainfall and radiation. The cumulative effects of TCs can have long-term (over 1 month) effects on global ocean heat uptake (annual mean 0.13–1.4 PW), ocean circulation and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Anthropogenic warming is likely to alter TC intensity, track and frequency, and the associated precipitation; however, projections of the future impacts of TCs on energy and water transport remain uncertain. Better quantifications of energy and water flows during and after TC events are needed to improve model representation of TC processes, their evolving role in a changing climate, and estimates of future risks. Tropical cyclones (TCs) transport a substantial amount of energy and water, affecting the atmosphere and oceans. This Review outlines the immediate, short-term and long-term effects of TCs and the potential impacts of anthropogenic climate change.