Atmospheric and Ocean characteristics associated with NIO tropical cyclones: A comprehensive review vis-à-vis the intensity and movement

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the characteristic features associated with the North Indian Ocean (NIO) tropical cyclones (or TCs), with a primary focus on their intensity and movement. It emphasizes upon various factors impacting the intensity and movement of TCs including moisture, eddies, low-level vertical wind shear, atmospheric conditions, sea surface temperature (SST), etc., i.e., both the atmospheric and ocean characteristics in a comprehensive manner. The review highlights the influence of intra- seasonal and inter-annual atmospheric phenomena, including monsoon systems, cold air intrusion, and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on TC re-curvature. The narrative underscores the crucial role of ocean related factors, viz., SST, Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential (TCHP), ocean-currents, and eddies, in predicting and mitigating the impact of TCs in this region. It also discusses the challenges of accurately forecasting TC intensity and landfall, including inaccuracies in vortex initialization, incomplete physical process representation, and parameterization errors, and highlights the potential of ensemble techniques and data assimilation methods for improving the accuracy and reliability of predictions. Overall, this narrative provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics and thermodynamics of TCs over the NIO, which can aid in better understanding, predicting, and mitigating the impact of these natural disasters in this region.