Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Typhoon-induced ocean responses off the southwest coast of Taiwan

  • Published:
Ocean Dynamics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Typhoons can cause substantial sea surface cooling (typically 2–4 °C), which is usually biased to the right side of the storm track. Under influence of the complex bathymetry of the southern Taiwan Strait (TS), two types of sea surface temperature (SST) response, cooling and warming, each associated with a different type of typhoon track were identified using satellite and mooring observations. When a typhoon moved westward (or northwestward) and passed through the TS (track A), the SST cooling in the TS was biased toward the left of the storm track. Numerical model results indicated that in track A, strong wind stress accelerates the flow east of the Taiwan Banks and drove the bottom flow to uplift due to the topography. Moreover, both wind stress and wind stress curl enhanced the Luzon loop. After the typhoon passed, the mean circulation was modified around strong cooling in the southern TS, causing more South China Sea surface water to be distributed to the Kuroshio region. However, when a typhoon moved westward (or northwestward) and passed south of the TS, SST warming was induced in the southern TS (track B). The model results indicated that when the typhoon passed to the south of the TS, the typhoon-induced horizontal divergent flow travelled to the north, where it encountered the shallower shelf of the TS that was confined to the water, causing warm water transported into this area to accumulate and downwelling to occur. This can be regarded as redistributing the heat content in the shelf area. After the typhoon, the thickened mixed layer resulting from downwelling prevented the formation of near-inertial waves and reduced the vertical mixing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chang K-P (2006) Investigation on the one- to four-week temperature variation in the Nan Wan Bay. Institute of Hydrological and Oceanic Sciences, National Central University, Master thesis, 85 pp; (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang YC, Tseng RS, Centurioni LR (2010) Typhoon induced strong surface flows in the Taiwan Strait and Pacific. J Oceanogr 66(2):175–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen YLL, Chen HY, Jan S, Tuo SH (2009) Phytoplankton productivity enhancement and assemblage change in the upstream Kuroshio after typhoons. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 385:111–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chern CS, Jan S, Wang J (2010): Numerical study of mean flow patterns in the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait. Ocean Dynamics, 60, 1047-1059

  • Cione JJ, Uhlhorn EW (2003) Sea surface temperature variability in hurricanes: implications with respect to intensity change. J Phys Oceanogr 131:1783–1796

  • Cornillon P, Stramma L, Price JF (1987) Satellite measurements of sea surface cooling during hurricane Gloria. Nature 326:373–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dare RA, McBride JL (2011) Sea surface temperature response to tropical cyclones. Mon Weather Rev 139:3798–3808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, J. K., P. Kallberg, S. Uppala, A. Hernandez, A. Nomura, and E. Serrano (1999): ECMWF Re-Analysis Project Report Series, 1. ERA-15 Description, Version 2, ECMWF. Reading, UK

  • Hart RE, Maue RN, Watson MC (2007) Estimating local memory of tropical cyclones through MPI anomaly evolution. Mon Weather Rev 135:3990–4005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu J, Kawamura H, Hong H, Pan W (2003) A review of research on the upwelling in the Taiwan Strait. Bull Mar Sci 73(3):605–628

    Google Scholar 

  • Jan S, Wang J, Chern CS, Chao SY (2002) Seasonal variation of the circulation in the Taiwan Strait. J Mar Syst 35:249–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jan, S., and CTA. Chen (2009): Potential biogeochemical effects from vigorous internal tides generated in Luzon Strait: a case study at the southernmost coast of Taiwan. J. Geophys. Res.: Oceans (1978–2012) 114. C4

  • Knaff JA, DeMaria M, Sampson CR, Peak JE, Cummings J, Schubert WH (2013) Upper oceanic energy response to tropical cyclone passage. J Clim 26:2631–2650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuo YC, Chern CS, Wang J, Tsai YL (2011) Numerical study of upper ocean response to a typhoon moving zonally across the Luzon Strait. Ocean Dyn 61:1783–1795. doi:10.1007/s10236-011-0459-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee MA, Yeah CD, Cheng CH, Chang JW, Lee KT (2003) Empirical orthogonal function analysis of AVHRR sea surface temperature patterns in Taiwan Strait. J Mar Sci Technol 11(1):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee MA, Chang Y, Futoki S, Kawamura H, Cheng CH, Chan JW, Huang I (2005) Validation of satellite-derived sea surface temperatures for waters around Taiwan. Terr Atmos Ocean Sci 16:1189–1204

    Google Scholar 

  • Levitus, S. (1982): Climatological atlas of the world oceans. NOAA Prof. Paper No. 13, U.S. Government Printing Office, 173 pp

  • Liang W-D, Tang TY, Yang YJ, Ko MT, Chuang WS (2003) Upper-ocean currents around Taiwan. Deep-Sea Res II Top Stud Oceanogr 50:61085–61105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  •  Liang NK, Wang J, Chern CS, Yang TS, Cheng CW (1989): Oceanographic Observation At the Drilling Area F- South of Peng-Hu. Published by Institude of Oceanography, College of science National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan Republic of China 355 pp. (in Chinese)

  • Lin I-I, Liu WT, Wu C-C, Chiang JCH, Sui C-H (2003) Satellite observations of modulation of surface winds by typhoon-induced upper ocean cooling. Geophys Res Lett 30(3):1131. doi:10.1029/2002GL015674

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClain EP, Pichel WG, Walton CC (1985) Comparative performance of AVHRR based multichannel sea surface temperatures. J Geophys Res 90:11587–11601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mellor GL, Durbin PA (1975) The structure and dynamics of the ocean surface mixed layer. J Phys Oceanogr 5:718–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holland GJ (1980) An analytic model of the wind and pressure profiles in hurricanes. Mon Weather Rev 108:1212–1218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell DA, Teague WJ, Jarosz E, Wang DW (2005) Observed currents over the outer continental shelf during Hurricane Ivan. Geophys Res Lett 32, L11610. doi:10.1029/2005GL023014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price JF (1983) Internal wave wake of a moving storm part I: scales energy budget and observations. J Phys Oceanogr 13:949–965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price JF, Sanford TB, Forristall GZ (1994) Forced stage response to a moving hurricane. J Phys Oceanogr 24:233–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakaida F, Kawamura H (1992) Accuracies of NOAA/NESDIS sea surface temperature estimation technique in the oceans around Japan. J Oceanogr 48:345–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanford TB, Price JF, Girton JB, Webb DC (2007) Highly resolved observations and simulations of the ocean response to a hurricane. Geophys Res Lett 34, L13604. doi:10.1029/2007GL029679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanford TB, Price JF, Girton JB (2011) Upper ocean response to Hurricane Frances (2004) observed by EM-APEX floats. J Phys Oceanogr 41:1041–1056. doi:10.1175/2010JPO4313.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schade LR, Emanuel KA (1999) The ocean’s effect on the intensity of tropical cyclones: results from a simple coupled atmosphere–ocean model. J Atmos Sci 56:642–651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Semtner, A.J. (1986): Finite difference formulation of a world ocean model. In Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Advanced Physical Oceanographic Numerical Modelling, ed. By J.J. O’Brien, D. Reidel Publishing Co., Dordrecht, 608 pp

  • Tsai YL, Chern CS, Wang J (2008a) The upper ocean response to a moving typhoon. J Oceanogr 64:115–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, Y.L., C.S. Chern and J. Wang (2008b): Typhoon induced upper ocean cooling off northeastern Taiwan, Geophys. Res. Lett., Vol. 35, L14605, doi:10.1029/2008GL034368

  • Tsai Y, Chern C-S, Wang J (2012) Numerical study of typhoon-induced ocean thermal content variations on the northern shelf of the South China Sea. Cont Shelf Res 42:64–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Chern CS (1991): Oceanographic observation at the Drilling Area South of Peng-Hu Islands. Published by Institude of Oceanography, College of science National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan Republic of China 216 pp. (in Chinese)

  • Wang J, Chern CS (1996) Some aspects on the circulation in the northern South China Sea. La Mer 34:246–257

    Google Scholar 

Download references

This study was part of the Taiwan integrated research program on Climate Change Adaptation Technology (TaiCCAT), sponsored by grants from the National Science Council of Taiwan, NSC101-2625-M-019-006 and 102-2811-M-019-001. TMI and AMSR-E data are produced by Remote Sensing Systems and sponsored by the NASA Earth Science MEaSUREs DISCOVER Project and the AMSR-E Science Team. Data are available at www.remss.com. ECMWF data used in this study have been obtained from the ECMWF Data Server. The TOPO5 data base (Data Announcement 88-MGG-02, Digital relief of the Surface of the Earth. NOAA, National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, Colorado, 1988.) is available at NOAA/NGDC, http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/etopo5.HTML

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Biology and Fisheries Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2 Pei-Ning Rd., Keelung, 20224, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yi-Chun Kuo & Ming-An Lee

  2. Center of Excellence for Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2 Pei-Ning Road, Keelung, 20224, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yi-Chun Kuo & Ming-An Lee

  3. Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Ching-Sheng Chern

Authors
  1. Yi-Chun Kuo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ming-An Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ching-Sheng Chern
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yi-Chun Kuo.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Jin-Song von Storch

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kuo, YC., Lee, MA. & Chern, CS. Typhoon-induced ocean responses off the southwest coast of Taiwan. Ocean Dynamics 64, 1569–1581 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-014-0776-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-014-0776-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation