Influence of tropical cyclones on seasonal ocean circulation in the South China Sea

Abstract

The seasonal variability of South China Sea (SCS) ocean circulation influenced by tropical cyclones (TCs) is studied by using satellite QuikSCAT wind data, Sverdrup theory, and a reduced gravity model. TCs can induce a positive (negative) wind stress curl in the northwestern (southeastern) SCS in summer and a positive wind stress curl for the whole SCS in winter. With these wind stress curls induced by TCs, the cyclonic gyre in the northern SCS and the anticyclonic gyre in the southern SCS are intensified in summer. In winter, the cyclonic gyre in the northern SCS is intensified and the gyre in the southern SCS is weakened except in November and December when both gyres are enhanced. The model results show that the dipole structure off central Vietnam in summer is intensified and the eddy off northwestern Luzon Island in winter is weakened by TCs. The present paper shows that TCs can affect both large‐scale and mesoscale SCS ocean circulation, suggesting that studies including the effect of TCs are necessary to help improve our understanding of SCS ocean circulation dynamics.