Geophysical Research Letters (Apr 2024)

Rossby Wave Amplified by Tropical Cyclones Over the Bay of Bengal and Its Downstream Impact on Precipitation in South China

  • Xiaoting Fan,
  • Ying Li,
  • Na Wei,
  • Yiyun Xie,
  • Pengchao An

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL107208
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 51, no. 8
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Tropical cyclones (TCs) over the Bay of Bengal (BOB) can interact with the South Branch Trough (SBT) as they move northward and potentially amplify Rossby waves. This study evaluates the features of Rossby waves and their downstream impact on rainfall in South China. Results indicate that TC‐SBT interactions primarily occur in May and October‐November (Oct‐Nov), with probabilities of 59% and 53% respectively. Notably, the Rossby wave train associated with BOB TCs is more pronounced during Oct‐Nov due to the stronger subtropical westerly jet, in contrast to May. The downstream atmospheric response results in positive (negative) rainfall anomalies over South China in May (Oct‐Nov), particularly on the day following the maximum interaction day. Previous researches concerning TC‐extratropical flow interaction mainly focus on other basins where TCs move to higher latitudes, this study provides fresh insights into Rossby waves related to TC‐SBT interactions over the southern Tibetan Plateau.

Keywords