Synoptic Flow Patterns and Large-Scale Characteristics Associated with Rapidly Intensifying Tropical Cyclones in the South China Sea

摘要

The typical synoptic flow patterns and environmental factors that favor the rapid intensification (RI) of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the South China Sea (SCS) have been identified based on all TCs formed in the SCS between 1981 and 2011. The quantity RI is defined as the 24-h increase in maximum sustained surface wind speed by 15 m s(-1) as in previous studies, which is close to the 95th percentile of 24-h intensity change of all SCS samples excluding those after landfall. There are 4.9 (2.3) of tropical depressions (tropical storms) that experienced RI. No typhoons satisfied the RI threshold.