Imprints of Tropical Cyclones on Structural Characteristics of Mesoscale Oceanic Eddies Over the Western North Pacific

The imprints of tropical cyclones (TCs) on structural characteristics of mesoscale oceanic eddies over the western North Pacific are investigated. Results reveal a statistically significant role of TCs in modulating the structural characteristics of both cold-core eddies (CCEs) and warm-core eddies (WCEs). The eddy strength in terms of amplitude and circulation speed is intensified for CCEs while is weakened for WCEs after the passage of TCs. The size of WCEs is decreased by TCs, while the CCE is enlarged shortly and then decreased subsequently. The TC-induced decrease in mixed-layer depth is larger in WCEs, causing comparable mixed-layer depths between CCEs and WCEs. The strength changes of CCEs depend highly on the intensity and translation speed of TCs. The lifetimes of both CCEs and WCEs are significantly prolonged by TC forcing. The air-sea energy exchange is modulated by both CCEs and WCEs via changing the response of sea surface temperature.

Automated summary

This study investigates the impact of tropical cyclones on the structural characteristics of oceanic eddies in the western North Pacific. The results show that the strength and size of both warm-core and cold-core eddies are modulated by the passage of tropical cyclones, with changes in amplitude, circulation speed, and mixed-layer depth. Additionally, tropical cyclones can prolong the lifetimes of eddies and impact air-sea energy exchange through altering sea surface temperature response.