What is sea surface temperature rise? How does it affect the formation of tropical cyclones?

Check out the UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 Question no 4 Solution with detailed explanation, important facts and conclusion in this Article.

Table of Contents

Introduction

You can start your answer by defining sea surface temperature.

- Sea Surface Temperature (SST) refers to the temperature of the top layer of the ocean, typically measured up to a few meters in depth.
- SST anomaly- 2 degree rise

The rise in SST is primarily caused by global warming.
Substantiate with Data: According to IPCC, emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850-1900.

Body

Impact of Sea Surface Temperature Rise On the Formation Of Tropical Cyclone

- Formation: Warmer ocean waters provide the energy and moisture needed for the formation of tropical cyclones.
  - E.g. Tropical storms form and intensify when sea surface temperatures exceed 27°C, along with large expanses of warm water
- Intensity: Warmer ocean waters fuel the intensification of tropical cyclones→latent heat of condensation. As a storm passes over warmer waters, it absorbs more moisture, leading to stronger heavier rainfall.
  - E.g. Cyclone Amphan (2020) in the Bay of Bengal rapidly intensified into a super cyclone due to SSTs exceeding 30°C.
- Changes in Cyclone Tracks: SST rise also influence cyclone tracks, causing storms to shift poleward or take unusual paths.

E.g. As per Science Direct, tropical cyclone tracks are shifting towards higher latitudes, in part due to warming SST.

Impact on Cyclone Frequency: Increased sea surface temperature can lead to more cyclone in other season of a year.

- E.g. The western Pacific region has seen a decrease in the total number of tropical cyclones but an increase in the occurrence of stronger typhoons.

Cyclone Freddy case study

Longest tropical cyclone on record at 36 days-February and March 2023

Conclusion

Increase in SST and consequent marine heatwaves→cause of concern.

You can highlight that Indian government has launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which includes the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC)–>aims to support climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness, including measures to address the impacts of rising SSTs on tropical cyclones.