1484. Marine Heat Waves and Rapid Intensification Synergistically Amplify the Destructive Power of Tropical Cyclones Worldwide

Tropical cyclones, including typhoons and hurricanes, are among the most severe natural disasters globally, causing enormous economic losses as well as devastating impacts on human life and infrastructure. In recent years, prolonged episodes of abnormally high sea surface temperatures—referred to as marine heat waves (MHWs)—have occurred more frequently, and approximately 52% of tropical cyclones making landfall worldwide have been influenced by these oceanic heat extremes.

A study published in Science Advances uses more than four decades of global data to demonstrate that tropical cyclones undergoing rapid intensification (RI) while traversing marine heat waves have resulted in approximately 60% more billion-dollar disasters compared to storms that were not influenced by marine heat waves. These storms consistently exhibited higher maximum wind speeds, storm surges, and precipitation rates.

Furthermore, even when coastal development levels are comparable, tropical cyclones affected by marine heat waves were found to cause significantly greater economic damage. This indicates that the amplified impacts are not solely determined by exposure or location, but also by the enhanced physical intensity of the storms themselves.

As marine heat waves are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, tropical cyclones are likely to become even more destructive, and billion-dollar disasters may occur more frequently in the future. This study strongly underscores the urgent need to improve disaster preparedness and early warning systems in an era of accelerating ocean warming.
 

Reference
Radfar, S. et al. (2026) Synergistic impact of marine heat waves and rapid intensification exacerbates tropical cyclone destructive power worldwide. Science Advances.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu1733

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Strategic Coordination Office