Influence of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) on Tropical Cyclones Affecting Tonga in the Southwest Pacific

Tu'uholoaki, Moleni and Espejo, Antonio and Sharma, Krishneel and Singh, Awnesh M. and Wandres, Moritz and Damlamian, Herve and Chand, Savin (2023) Influence of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) on Tropical Cyclones Affecting Tonga in the Southwest Pacific. Atmosphere, 14 (7). NA. ISSN 2073-4433

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Abstract

The modulating influence of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on tropical cyclones (TCs) has been examined globally, regionally, and subregionally, but its impact on the island scale remains unclear. This study investigates how TC activity affecting the Tonga region is being modulated by the MJO, using the Southwest Pacific Enhanced Archive of Tropical Cyclones (SPEArTC) and the MJO index. In particular, this study investigates how the MJO modulates the frequency and intensity of TCs affecting the Tonga region relative to the entire study period (1970–2019; hereafter referred to as all years), as well as to different phases of the El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Results suggest that the MJO strongly modulates TC activity affecting the Tonga region. The frequency and intensity of TCs is enhanced during the active phases (phases six to eight) in all years, including El Niño and ENSO-neutral years. The MJO also strongly influences the climatological pattern of genesis of TCs affecting the Tonga region, where more (fewer) cyclones form in the active (inactive) phases of the MJO and more genesis points are clustered (scattered) near (away from) the Tonga region. There were three regression curves that best described the movement of TCs in the region matching the dominant steering mechanisms in the Southwest Pacific region. The findings of this study can provide climatological information for the Tonga Meteorological Service (TMS) and disaster managers to better understand the TC risk associated with the impact of the MJO on TCs affecting the Tonga region and support its TC early warning system.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) > Q1-295 General Q Science > QC Physics > QC1-75 General Q Science > QC Physics > QC851-999 Meteorology. Climatology Including the earth's atmosphere
Divisions:	Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD)
Depositing User:	Awnesh Singh
Date Deposited:	11 Aug 2023 03:51
Last Modified:	11 Aug 2023 03:51
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/14100

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