Can we mitigate tropical cyclone formation using aerosols? A review of cyclogenesis and aerosol effects as a theoretical basis

Thao Linh Tran*, Roslyn Prinsley, Daniel Rosenfeld, Helen Cleugh, Jiwen Fan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Tropical cyclogenesis is a complex phenomenon, involving processes across multiple scales, with various theories proposed to explain its mechanisms. This paper provides an up-to-date summary of the established physical mechanisms and controlling factors of cyclogenesis. Understanding the nature of tropical cyclone formation is necessary to improve tropical cyclone forecasts and inform tropical cyclone mitigation strategies targeting early-stage intervention. Despite the disparities among theories, the critical role of persistent, intensified convection in tropical cyclone initiation is universally acknowledged. Therefore, our hypothesis is that interrupting convective development using aerosol injection is a potential strategy for mitigating tropical cyclone formation. Targetted injection of coarse and fine aerosols at the formation stage are two proposed potential approaches for mitigating tropical cyclones. These methods have completely different microphysical effects but each may ultimately interfere with the formation of the nascent cyclone. These potential interventions open new areas of further research, which are important and necessary to establish a solid scientific foundation for cyclogenesis mitigation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107779
JournalAtmospheric Research
Volume314
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024

Keywords

  • Aerosol injection
  • Convection
  • Cyclogenesis mechanisms
  • Cyclogenesis mitigation
  • Tropical cyclone formation
  • Tropical cyclone intervention

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