Projections of southern hemisphere tropical cyclone track density using CMIP5 models
- Bell, Samuel, Chand, Savin, Tory, Kevin, Dowdy, Andrew, Turville, Christopher, Ye, Harvey
- Authors: Bell, Samuel , Chand, Savin , Tory, Kevin , Dowdy, Andrew , Turville, Christopher , Ye, Harvey
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Climate Dynamics Vol. 52, no. 9-10 (2019), p. 6065-6079
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: A recently validated algorithm for detecting and tracking tropical cyclones (TCs) in coarse resolution climate models was applied to a selected group of 12 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) to assess potential changes in TC track characteristics in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) due to greenhouse warming. Current-climate simulations over the period 1970–2000 are first evaluated against observations using measures of TC genesis location and frequency, as well as track trajectory and lifetime in seven objectively defined genesis regions. The 12-model (12-M) ensemble showed substantial skill in reproducing a realistic TC climatology over the evaluation period. To address potential biases associated with model interdependency, analyses were repeated with an ensemble of five independent models (5-M). Results from both the 12-M and 5-M ensembles were very similar, instilling confidence in the models for climate projections if the current TC-climate relationship is to remain stationary. Projected changes in TC track density between the current- and future-climate (2070–2100) simulations under the Representatives Concentration 8.5 Pathways (RCP8.5) are also assessed. Overall, projection results showed a substantial decrease (~ 1–3 per decade) in track density over most parts of the SH by the end of the twenty-first century. This decrease is attributed to a significant reduction in TC numbers (~ 15–42%) consistent with changes in large-scale environmental parameters such as relative vorticity, environmental vertical wind shear and relative humidity. This study may assist with adaption pathways and implications for regional-scale climate change for vulnerable regions in the SH.
- Authors: Bell, Samuel , Chand, Savin , Tory, Kevin , Dowdy, Andrew , Turville, Christopher , Ye, Harvey
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Climate Dynamics Vol. 52, no. 9-10 (2019), p. 6065-6079
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: A recently validated algorithm for detecting and tracking tropical cyclones (TCs) in coarse resolution climate models was applied to a selected group of 12 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) to assess potential changes in TC track characteristics in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) due to greenhouse warming. Current-climate simulations over the period 1970–2000 are first evaluated against observations using measures of TC genesis location and frequency, as well as track trajectory and lifetime in seven objectively defined genesis regions. The 12-model (12-M) ensemble showed substantial skill in reproducing a realistic TC climatology over the evaluation period. To address potential biases associated with model interdependency, analyses were repeated with an ensemble of five independent models (5-M). Results from both the 12-M and 5-M ensembles were very similar, instilling confidence in the models for climate projections if the current TC-climate relationship is to remain stationary. Projected changes in TC track density between the current- and future-climate (2070–2100) simulations under the Representatives Concentration 8.5 Pathways (RCP8.5) are also assessed. Overall, projection results showed a substantial decrease (~ 1–3 per decade) in track density over most parts of the SH by the end of the twenty-first century. This decrease is attributed to a significant reduction in TC numbers (~ 15–42%) consistent with changes in large-scale environmental parameters such as relative vorticity, environmental vertical wind shear and relative humidity. This study may assist with adaption pathways and implications for regional-scale climate change for vulnerable regions in the SH.
Statistical assessment of the OWZ Tropical Cyclone Tracking Scheme in ERA-Interim
- Bell, Samuel, Chand, Savin, Tory, Kevin, Turville, Christopher
- Authors: Bell, Samuel , Chand, Savin , Tory, Kevin , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Climate Vol. 31, no. 6 (2018), p. 2217-2232
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- Reviewed:
- Description: The Okubo–Weiss–Zeta (OWZ) tropical cyclone (TC) detection scheme, which has been used to detect TCs in climate, seasonal prediction, and weather forecast models, is assessed on its ability to produce a realistic TC track climatology in the ERA-Interim product over the 25-yr period 1989 to 2013. The analysis focuses on TCs that achieve gale-force (17ms21) sustained winds. Objective criteria were established to define TC tracks once they reach gale force for both observed and detected TCs. A lack of consistency between storm tracks preceding this level of intensity led these track segments to be removed from the analysis.Asubtropical jet (STJ) diagnostic is used to terminate transitioning TCs and is found to be preferable to a fixed latitude cutoff point. TC tracks were analyzed across seven TC basins, using a probabilistic clustering technique that is based on regression mixture models. The technique grouped TC tracks together based on their geographical location and shape of trajectory in five separate ‘‘cluster regions’’ around the globe. A mean trajectory was then regressed for each cluster that showed good agreement between the detected and observed tracks. Other track measures such as interannual TC days and translational speeds were also replicated to a satisfactory level, with TC days showing limited sensitivity to different latitude cutoff points. Successful validation in reanalysis data allows this model- and grid-resolution-independent TC tracking scheme to be applied to climate models with confidence in its ability to identify TC tracks in coarse-resolution climate models.
- Authors: Bell, Samuel , Chand, Savin , Tory, Kevin , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Climate Vol. 31, no. 6 (2018), p. 2217-2232
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Okubo–Weiss–Zeta (OWZ) tropical cyclone (TC) detection scheme, which has been used to detect TCs in climate, seasonal prediction, and weather forecast models, is assessed on its ability to produce a realistic TC track climatology in the ERA-Interim product over the 25-yr period 1989 to 2013. The analysis focuses on TCs that achieve gale-force (17ms21) sustained winds. Objective criteria were established to define TC tracks once they reach gale force for both observed and detected TCs. A lack of consistency between storm tracks preceding this level of intensity led these track segments to be removed from the analysis.Asubtropical jet (STJ) diagnostic is used to terminate transitioning TCs and is found to be preferable to a fixed latitude cutoff point. TC tracks were analyzed across seven TC basins, using a probabilistic clustering technique that is based on regression mixture models. The technique grouped TC tracks together based on their geographical location and shape of trajectory in five separate ‘‘cluster regions’’ around the globe. A mean trajectory was then regressed for each cluster that showed good agreement between the detected and observed tracks. Other track measures such as interannual TC days and translational speeds were also replicated to a satisfactory level, with TC days showing limited sensitivity to different latitude cutoff points. Successful validation in reanalysis data allows this model- and grid-resolution-independent TC tracking scheme to be applied to climate models with confidence in its ability to identify TC tracks in coarse-resolution climate models.
North Indian ocean tropical cyclone activity in CMIP5 experiments : future projections using a model-independent detection and tracking scheme
- Bell, Samuel, Chand, Savin, Tory, Kevin, Ye, Hua, Turville, Christopher
- Authors: Bell, Samuel , Chand, Savin , Tory, Kevin , Ye, Hua , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Climatology Vol. 40, no. 15 (2020), p. 6492-6505
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The sensitivity of tropical cyclone (TC) projection results to different models and the detection and tracking scheme used is well established. In this study, future climate projections of TC activity in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) are assessed with a model- and basin-independent detection and tracking scheme. The scheme is applied to selected models from the coupled model intercomparison project phase 5 (CMIP5) experiments forced under the historical and representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) conditions. Most models underestimated the frequency of early season (April–June) TCs and contained genesis biases equatorward of ~7.5°N in comparison to the historical records. TC tracks detected in reanalysis and model data were input to a clustering algorithm simultaneously, with two clusters in the Arabian Sea and two in the Bay of Bengal (k = 4). Projection results indicated a slight decrease of overall TC genesis frequency in the NIO, with an increase of TC genesis frequency in the Arabian Sea (30–64%) and a decrease in the Bay of Bengal (22–43%), consistent between clusters in each of these sub-regions. These changes were largely due to changes in the pre-monsoon season (April–June) where Bay of Bengal TCs significantly decreased, consistent with changes in vertical ascent. Northern Arabian Sea TCs significantly increased during the pre-monsoon season, consistent with changes in vertical wind shear and relative humidity. There was a projected increase of TC frequency in the post-monsoon season (October–December), consistent with changes in relative humidity and vertical ascent, although not all clusters followed this trend; noting a different response in the southern Bay of Bengal. In turn, these projections caused changes to the climate averaged TC track density, including a decrease (up to 2 TCs per decade) affecting the eastern coast of India and a small increase (up to 0.5 TCs per decade) affecting eastern Africa, Oman and Yemen. © 2020 Royal Meteorological Society
- Authors: Bell, Samuel , Chand, Savin , Tory, Kevin , Ye, Hua , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Climatology Vol. 40, no. 15 (2020), p. 6492-6505
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The sensitivity of tropical cyclone (TC) projection results to different models and the detection and tracking scheme used is well established. In this study, future climate projections of TC activity in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) are assessed with a model- and basin-independent detection and tracking scheme. The scheme is applied to selected models from the coupled model intercomparison project phase 5 (CMIP5) experiments forced under the historical and representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) conditions. Most models underestimated the frequency of early season (April–June) TCs and contained genesis biases equatorward of ~7.5°N in comparison to the historical records. TC tracks detected in reanalysis and model data were input to a clustering algorithm simultaneously, with two clusters in the Arabian Sea and two in the Bay of Bengal (k = 4). Projection results indicated a slight decrease of overall TC genesis frequency in the NIO, with an increase of TC genesis frequency in the Arabian Sea (30–64%) and a decrease in the Bay of Bengal (22–43%), consistent between clusters in each of these sub-regions. These changes were largely due to changes in the pre-monsoon season (April–June) where Bay of Bengal TCs significantly decreased, consistent with changes in vertical ascent. Northern Arabian Sea TCs significantly increased during the pre-monsoon season, consistent with changes in vertical wind shear and relative humidity. There was a projected increase of TC frequency in the post-monsoon season (October–December), consistent with changes in relative humidity and vertical ascent, although not all clusters followed this trend; noting a different response in the southern Bay of Bengal. In turn, these projections caused changes to the climate averaged TC track density, including a decrease (up to 2 TCs per decade) affecting the eastern coast of India and a small increase (up to 0.5 TCs per decade) affecting eastern Africa, Oman and Yemen. © 2020 Royal Meteorological Society
Projected changes in ENSO-driven regional tropical cyclone tracks
- Bell, Samuel, Chand, Savin, Turville, Christopher
- Authors: Bell, Samuel , Chand, Savin , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Climate Dynamics Vol. 54, no. 3-4 (Feb 2020), p. 2533-2559
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Simulations and projections of the El Nino Southern Oscillation's (ENSO's) influence on TC track variability was analysed globally using Coupled Model Intercomparison project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models. The ability of these models to simulate the historical (1970-2000) ENSO-TC track relationship and inform us of the likely projected changes resulting from high carbon emissions (RCP8.5) in a climate projection (2070-2100) was determined through cluster analysis. The number of seasonal TC occurrences during traditional ENSO events ("El Nino" and "La Nina") in each cluster were used to determine whether each cluster was "El Nino dominant", "La Nina dominant" or "neither". Only seven out of a combined total of 28 clusters across all basins were found to disagree in terms of "ENSO dominance" between the observed records and historical model simulations. This suggests that models can simulate the ENSO and TC track relationship reasonably well. Under sustained high carbon emissions, La Nina TCs were projected to become dominant over El Nino TCs in the central South Indian Ocean ( 60-100 degrees E), the southern Bay of Bengal and over straight-moving TCs in the South China Sea. El Nino TCs were projected to increase and become dominant over La Nina TCs in a larger area of the western South Pacific ( 160 degrees E-165 degrees W) and central North Pacific ( 160 degrees E-145 degrees W) Oceans. Projections of track directions and lifetimes, while less robust, indicated that El Nino TCs would track westward more often in the Coral Sea (150-165 degrees E), while El Nino TCs that took an eastward track here would have longer lifetimes ( 3 days).
- Authors: Bell, Samuel , Chand, Savin , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Climate Dynamics Vol. 54, no. 3-4 (Feb 2020), p. 2533-2559
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Simulations and projections of the El Nino Southern Oscillation's (ENSO's) influence on TC track variability was analysed globally using Coupled Model Intercomparison project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models. The ability of these models to simulate the historical (1970-2000) ENSO-TC track relationship and inform us of the likely projected changes resulting from high carbon emissions (RCP8.5) in a climate projection (2070-2100) was determined through cluster analysis. The number of seasonal TC occurrences during traditional ENSO events ("El Nino" and "La Nina") in each cluster were used to determine whether each cluster was "El Nino dominant", "La Nina dominant" or "neither". Only seven out of a combined total of 28 clusters across all basins were found to disagree in terms of "ENSO dominance" between the observed records and historical model simulations. This suggests that models can simulate the ENSO and TC track relationship reasonably well. Under sustained high carbon emissions, La Nina TCs were projected to become dominant over El Nino TCs in the central South Indian Ocean ( 60-100 degrees E), the southern Bay of Bengal and over straight-moving TCs in the South China Sea. El Nino TCs were projected to increase and become dominant over La Nina TCs in a larger area of the western South Pacific ( 160 degrees E-165 degrees W) and central North Pacific ( 160 degrees E-145 degrees W) Oceans. Projections of track directions and lifetimes, while less robust, indicated that El Nino TCs would track westward more often in the Coral Sea (150-165 degrees E), while El Nino TCs that took an eastward track here would have longer lifetimes ( 3 days).
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