A Case Study on Typhoon-Midlatitude Synoptic System Interaction: Typhoons Rusa(0215) and Maemi(0314)

The impact of midlatitude synoptic system (upper-level trough) on typhoon intensity change was investigated by analyzing the spatial and temporal characteristics of vertical wind shear (VWS), relative eddy momentum flux convergence (REFC), and potential vorticity (PV). These variables were computed over the radial mean $300{\sim}1,000km$ from the typhoon center by using GDAPS (Global Data Assimilation and Prediction System) data provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The selected cases in this study are typhoons Rusa (0215) and Maemi (0314), causing much damage in life and property in Korea. Results show that the threshold value of VWS indicating typhoon intensity change (typhoon to severe tropical storm) is approximately 15 m/s and of REFC ranges 6 to 6.5 $ms^{-1}day^{-1}$ in both cases, respectively. During the period with the intensity of typhoon class, PVs with 3 to 3.5 PVU are present in 360K surface-PV field in the cases. In addition, there is a time-lag of 24 hours between central pressure of typhoon and minimum value of VWS, meaning that the midlatitude upper-level trough interacts with the edge of typhoon with a horizontal distance less than 2,000 km between trough and typhoon. That is, strong midlatitude upper-level divergence above the edge of the typhoon provides a good condition for strengthening the vertical circulation associated with the typhoons. In particular, when the distance between typhoon and midlatitude upper-level trough is less than 1,000 km, the typhoons tend to weaken to STS (Severe Tropical Storm). It might be mentioned that midlatitude synoptic system affects the intensity change of typhoons Rusa (0215) and Maemi (0314) while they moves northward. Thus, these variables are useful for diagnosing the intensity change of typhoon approaching to the Korean peninsula.