Southern hemisphere tropical cyclones: A critical analysis of regional characteristics
Micheal T. Pillay, Jennifer M. Fitchett
Abstract
Abstract The destructive nature of tropical cyclones poses a risk to the regions where they occur during and after landfall. Southern hemisphere countries are usually more vulnerable to these risks and impacts due to their lower adaptive capacity. Research for the northern hemisphere has comprehensively explored the nature of tropical cyclones. This information has since been applied to long‐term adaptation plans and short‐term evacuation plans. This study interrogates the characteristics and nature of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclones and critically explores their differences to Northern Hemisphere storm characteristics. The differences found between the hemispheric storm activities include seasonality, number of storms and the latitudinal position at which these storms undergo genesis and intensification. Similarities were found in storm intensity, which was observed to increase with the time taken to reach maximum lifetime intensity. Higher sea surface temperatures were similarly found to be a major factor associated with increased intensity and lifetime of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclone seasonality is also centred around the warmer months within each hemisphere. Compared to the Northern Hemisphere the tropical cyclone seasonal length indicates no increase. The magnitude of sea surface temperature increase is also lower in the Northern Hemisphere. These fundamental links observed with temperature in both hemispheres implicates climate warming and its impact on tropical cyclones in both hemispheres, regardless of their seasonality and frequency.