Modulation of Tropical Cyclogenesis Location and Frequency over the Indo–Western North Pacific by the Intraseasonal Indo–Western Pacific Convection Oscillation during the Boreal Extended Summer

Abstract

AbstractThe influence of the intraseasonal Indo–western Pacific convection oscillation (IPCO) on tropical cyclone (TC) genesis location and frequency over the Indo–western North Pacific (WNP) during the boreal extended summer (May–October) is explored. Observational analysis shows that the impacts of the intraseasonal IPCO on TCs over the Indo–WNP include an evident “phase lock of TC genesis location” and distinct differences in TC frequency. In the WNP, in the positive intraseasonal IPCO phase, the atmosphere gains heat through the release of latent heat in cumulus convective condensation, and the anomalous cyclonic circulation weakens the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and enhances TC genesis, thereby tending to produce many more TCs. Moreover, the diminished WPSH and the westward shift of the centers of anomalous cyclonic circulations lock TC genesis locations to the west WNP and lower latitudes (around 5°–20°N), especially in the South China Sea. The almost opposite situation occurs in a negative phase. In the north Indian Ocean, the total TC genesis frequencies in the two intraseasonal IPCO phases are approximate. However, in the positive intraseasonal IPCO phase, the environmental conditions to the north of 13°N are similar to those in the WNP except without the WPSH control, whereas south of 13°N the situation is reversed, leading to a northward shift of the TC genesis location (around 13°–20°N). The negative phase reflects an opposite situation.