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Global warming

Reducing Tropical Cyclone Activity in Global Climate Models through Suppression of Wind-Induced Surface Heat Exchange

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New research from Princeton University's Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science has introduced a novel algorithm for reducing tropical cyclone activity in global climate models. The algorithm, dubbed "SWISHE," was implemented in a suite of simulations developed by NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and compared to a control suite of simulations with no perturbations. The results show a 44% reduction in TC frequency, with TCs of hurricane-strength reduced by approximately 90%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new algorithm, SWISHE, was designed to suppress wind-induced surface heat exchange (WISHE) at grid points where TC-like conditions are detected, resulting in a 44% reduction in TC frequency.
  • TCs in the SWISHE simulations were weaker, with peak 10-m horizontal wind speeds decreasing by a model-mean of 3.9 m s-1 and minimum sea-level pressures increasing by a model-mean of 4.7 hPa.
  • The results suggest that suppressing WISHE can effectively reduce TC activity in global climate models, providing a potential methodology for understanding the upscale impacts of TCs on the climate system.
  • The research was funded by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the ACEV Foundation.
  • The algorithm was implemented in a suite of GCM simulations developed by NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and compared to a control suite of simulations with no perturbations.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Geophysical Research-atmospheres.

Statistics:

  • 44% reduction in TC frequency due to the implementation of SWISHE.
  • 90% reduction in TCs of hurricane-strength.
  • 3.9 m s-1 decrease in peak 10-m horizontal wind speeds in TCs in the SWISHE simulations.
  • 4.7 hPa increase in minimum sea-level pressures in TCs in the SWISHE simulations.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers at Princeton University Release New Data on Climate Modeling (Reducing Tropical Cyclone Activity In Global Climate Models By Evaporative Suppression). Global Warming Focus. August 4, 2025; p 315.
  • Reducing Tropical Cyclone Activity In Global Climate Models By Evaporative Suppression. Journal of Geophysical Research-atmospheres, 2025;130(14). Journal of Geophysical Research-atmospheres can be contacted at: Amer Geophysical Union, 2000 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA.

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