Author: ["Yuan Wang","Keun-Hee Lee","Yun Lin","Misti Levy","Renyi Zhang"]
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Abstract
Anthropogenic influence, due to greenhouse gases and aerosols, on the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones is not well known. In this study, aerosols are shown to delay development, weaken intensity and cause early dissipation of storms, but also to increase precipitation across an enlarged rainband. Long-term observations have revealed large amplitude fluctuations in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs; refs 1, 2, 3, 4), but the anthropogenic impacts, including greenhouse gases and particulate matter pollution4,5, remain to be elucidated. Here, we show distinct aerosol effects on the development of TCs: the coupled microphysical and radiative effects of anthropogenic aerosols result in delayed development, weakened intensity and early dissipation, but an enlarged rainband and increased precipitation under polluted conditions. Our results imply that anthropogenic aerosols probably exhibit an opposite effect to that of greenhouse gases, highlighting the necessity of incorporating a realistic microphysical–radiative interaction of aerosols for accurate forecasting and climatic prediction of TCs in atmospheric models.Cite this article
Wang, Y., Lee, KH., Lin, Y. et al. Distinct effects of anthropogenic aerosols on tropical cyclones. Nature Clim Change 4, 368–373 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2144 