Modulation of Tropical Cyclone Activity Over the Northwestern Pacific Through the Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation

Abstract

The quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO) is the second most dominant intraseasonal mode for circulation over the Northwestern Pacific (WNP) during boreal summer. In this study, we investigated how the QBWO modulates tropical cyclone (TC) activities over the WNP from dynamic and thermodynamic perspectives. The propagation of the QBWO can be divided into four phases through empirical orthogonal function analysis of the vorticity at 850 hPa, which was proven to be effective in extracting the QBWO signal. TC generation and landings are significantly enhanced during the active period (phases 1 and 2) relative to the inactive period (phases 3 and 4). Composite analyses show the QBWO could significantly modulate TC activity as it propagates northwestward by changing the atmospheric circulation at both high and low levels. Cumulus convection provides an important link between TCs and the QBWO. The major component of the atmosphere heat source is found to be the latent heat release of convection. The condensation latent heat centers, vertical circulation, and water vapor flux divergence cooperate well during different phases of the QBWO. The vertical profile of the condensation latent heat indicates upper-level heating (cooling) during the active (inactive) phases of the QBWO. Thus, the northwestward propagation of the QBWO can modulate TC activity by affecting the configuration of atmospheric heating over the WNP.