Tropical cyclone motion in a changing climate

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz7610
• Publication Date: 2020-04-22T23:16:03Z
• Authors: Gan Zhang; Hiroyuki Murakami; Thomas R. Knutson; Ryo Mizuta; Kohei Yoshida
• Keywords: Middle latitudes; Westerlies

The locally accumulated damage by tropical cyclones (TCs) can intensify substantially when these move more slowly. While some observational evidence suggests that TC motion might have slowed significantly since the mid-20th century (1), robustness of observed trend and its relation to anthropogenic warming not been firmly established (2-4). Using large-ensemble simulations directly simulate activity, we show future lead a robust slowing motion, particularly in midlatitudes. slowdown there is related poleward shift midlatitude westerlies, which has projected various climate models. Although model's simulation historical trends attribution forcings remains uncertain, our findings suggest 21st-century could decelerate near populated regions Asia North America, potentially compounding TC-related damages.