Tropical Cyclones Related Wind Power on Oceanic Near-Inertial Oscillations

Wind power input to oceanic near-inertial oscillations (NIOs) plays a crucial role in sustaining the global ocean conveyor belt. However, the impact of tropical cyclones (TCs) on wind power input to NIOs, despite being the most vigorous atmospheric dynamics capable of exciting NIOs, is often overlooked in global estimations due to their transient nature and a lack of observations. Utilizing hourly wind and ocean current records, we quantified the wind power on NIOs induced by TCs from 1990 to 2019. Our findings reveal that the wind power on NIOs due to TCs is estimated to be between 0.028 and 0.065 TW, which accounts for a significant proportion, that is, 8%-17%, of that over the globe. This study highlights the importance of incorporating the wind power induced by TCs when estimating the global wind power on NIOs, as its impact is non-negligible. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the global energy balance by improving the estimation of wind power on NIOs. Wind power input to oceanic near-inertial oscillations (NIOs) is important for sustaining the global ocean conveyor belt. However, the influence of tropical cyclones (TCs) on wind power input to NIOs, despite being the most intense atmospheric dynamics that could easily excite NIOs, is often overlooked in global estimations due to their transient nature and a lack of observations. By analyzing wind and ocean current records from 1990 to 2019, the wind power on NIOs induced by TCs was quantified. We found that wind power on NIOs due to TCs is non-negligible and accounts for a significant portion of that over the globe. This study highlights the importance of considering the wind power induced by TCs when estimating the global wind power on NIOs, which helps to achieve a more accurate estimation of wind power on NIOs, leading to an improved understanding of the global energy balance. Observed data shows tropical cyclones contribute 8%-17% of global wind power on near-inertial oscillationsTropical cyclones could contribute up to 90% of wind power on near-inertial oscillations in their prone regionsAccounting for tropical cyclones is essential when estimating wind power on near-inertial oscillations

Automated summary

Tropical cyclones have a significant impact on wind power input to near-inertial oscillations (NIOs), but this impact is often overlooked in global estimations. This study quantifies the wind power on NIOs induced by tropical cyclones and highlights the significance of considering their contribution in estimating global wind power on NIOs.