Anomalously large latent heat fluxes in low to moderate wind conditions within the eddy-rich zone of the Northwestern Pacific

A month later typhoon Lan rapidly intensified into a super typhoon, while passing over the boundary region of warm and cold eddies during the observation period. Results from this study illustrate that both the wind-normalized LHF and the difference (Q(s)-Q(a)) between the specific humidity at air (Q(a)) and at the sea surface (Q(s)), closely correlate with OHC patterns, which suggests that the ocean looks likely to control the spatial pattern of LHF.

Overall, both the ocean and weather conditions govern the pattern of specific humidity difference between the air-sea interface, with large OHC over the warm eddy controlling higher Q(s) and the pattern of Q(a) depending on the pattern of wind direction. Q(a) as a factor impacting LHF magnitude is strongly linked to wind direction in the experimental area, that is, the drier northwesterly flow and southeasterly moist wind, resulting in the enhanced contrast of specific humidity at cold eddy region.