Work

Differences in Tropical Cyclone Tornado Activities and Key Tornadic Environments Between China and the United States

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Tornadic tropical cyclones (TCs) in China occur at a similar frequency to those in the U.S., yet the number of TC tornadoes in China is only 16.5% of that in the U.S. This study reveals that one reason is that tornadic TCs in China have shorter track lengths, fewer recurving tracks, and more southerly locations when producing tornadoes. The other reason is TCs' less tornado‐conducive environments in China. TC environments in China are more dynamically favorable but less thermodynamically conducive to tornadogenesis relative to the U.S. The composite impact is that the regions with the most favorable thermodynamic and kinematic conditions mismatch in China, with the former in the southwest quadrant and the latter in the northeast quadrant of TCs, whereas they overlap in the northeast quadrant in the U.S. and thus lead to a larger composite parameter. This mismatch in China primarily stems from tornadic TCs in southern China.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2025gl115258

Authors: Jingyi Wen, Lanqiang Bai, Zhiyong Meng, Ruilin Zhou

Institutions: China Meteorological Administration, Peking University, Sun Yat-sen University

Language: English

Topic: Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190