Anomalous Oceanic Conditions in the Central and Eastern North Pacific Ocean during the 2014 Hurricane Season and Relationships to Three Major Hurricanes

Abstract

The 2014 Northeast Pacific hurricane season was highly active, with above-average intensity and frequency events, and a rare landfalling Hawaiian hurricane. We show that the anomalous northern extent of sea surface temperatures and anomalous vertical extent of upper ocean heat content above 26 °C throughout the Northeast and Central Pacific Ocean may have influenced three long-lived tropical cyclones in July and August. Using a variety of satellite-observed and -derived products, we assess genesis conditions, along-track intensity, and basin-wide anomalous upper ocean heat content during Hurricanes Genevieve, Iselle, and Julio. The anomalously northern surface position of the 26 °C isotherm beyond 30° N to the north and east of the Hawaiian Islands in 2014 created very high sea surface temperatures throughout much of the Central Pacific. Analysis of basin-wide mean conditions confirm higher-than-average storm activity during strong positive oceanic thermal anomalies. Positive anomalies of 15–50 kJ cm−2 in the along-track upper ocean heat content for these three storms were observed during the intensification phase prior to peak intensity, advocating for greater understanding of the ocean thermal profile during tropical cyclone genesis and development.

Uncertainty of Tropical Cyclone Wind Radii on Sea Surface Temperature Cooling

“…The magnitude of SST cooling is strongly related to TC's characteristics and upper ocean conditions (D'Asaro et al., 2014; Glenn et al., 2016; Lin et al., 2008, 2009; Price, 1981; Shay & Brewster, 2010; Shay et al., 2000). Past studies have generally explored effects of ocean thermal structure (e.g., Ford et al., 2020; Huang et al., 2015; Knaff et al., 2013; Lin et al., 2005, 2008; Shay et al., 2000) and TC translation speed (e.g., Chang et al., 2020; Lin et al., 2009; Mei et al., 2012). Others have investigated the role of salinity‐induced ocean stratification in SST cooling (e.g., Balaguru et al., 2015, 2020; Shay & Brewster, 2010) and the role of enthalpy fluxes (Cione & Uhlhorn, 2003).…”

“…. Past studies have generally explored effects of ocean thermal structure (e.g., Ford et al, 2020;Huang et al, 2015;Knaff et al, 2013;Lin et al, 2005Lin et al, , 2008Shay et al, 2000) and TC translation speed (e.g., Chang et al, 2020;Lin et al, 2009;Mei et al, 2012). Others have investigated the role of salinity-induced ocean stratification in SST cooling (e.g., Balaguru et al, 2015Balaguru et al, , 2020Shay & Brewster, 2010) and the role of enthalpy fluxes (Cione & Uhlhorn, 2003).…”

Sea Surface Temperature: From Observation to Applications

“…Regarding extreme weather events, [4] investigates the relationship between a highly active hurricane season in the Pacific and the SST and upper ocean heat content (UOHC). They found good relationship between both SST and UOHC anomalies and intensity of three major hurricanes, and with the spatial extent of hurricane tracks.…”