Cyclone-cyclone interactions through the ocean pathway

The intense sea surface temperature cooling caused by tropical cyclone-induced mixing lasts several weeks and may thus influence a later cyclone passing over it. Using a 28 year analysis spanning the North Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Northwest Pacific, we systematically demonstrate that, on average, when tropical cyclones encounter lingering wakes, they experience sea surface temperatures that are similar to 0.25-0.5 degrees C colder. Consequently, the intensification rates are similar to 0.4-0.7 ms(-1)/36 h lower for cyclones when they interact with wakes, consistent with the maximum potential intensity theory. The probability for cyclones to encounter lingering wakes varies positively with cyclone frequency, is similar to 10% on average, and has been as high as 27%-37% in the past. These large interaction probabilities reduce the mean intensification rates for cyclones by 3%-6% on average and by similar to 12%-15% during the most active years. Cyclone-cyclone interactions may therefore represent a mechanism through which tropical cyclones self-regulate their activity to an extent on intraseasonal time scales.