The inter-annual variability of typhoon landfalls in China is investigated using historical and modern records. A north-to-south anti-correlation in yearly activity is confirmed from the historical records. When activity over Guangdong is high, it tends to be low over Fujian and vice versa. This spatial variation is identified in the modern record using a factor analysis model, which delineates the southern provinces of Guangdong, and Hainan from the northern provinces of Fujian, Taiwan, Zhejiang, Shanghai,Jiangsu, and Shandong. An index of annual activity representing the degree to which each year follows this pattern of activity is used to identify correlated climate variables. A useful model that includes sea level pressure differences between Mongolia and western China and SST over the midlatitude NW Pacific during the summer explains 27% of the inter-annual variability of the index. Physically, we suggest that a stronger than normal north to south pressure gradient increases the surface easterly wind flow over northern China, this coupled with lower SST over midlatitude NW Pacific, favors typhoons taking a more southerly track toward Hong Kong. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Geography in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2004. / October 20, 2004. / Southern China, Typhoon Landfall, Variablity Historical Data / Includes bibliographical references. / James B. Elsner, Professor Directing Thesis; Thomas Jagger, Committee Member; J. Anthony Stallins, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_182559 |
| Contributors | Fogarty, Emily A. (authoraut), Elsner, James B. (professor directing thesis), Jagger, Thomas (committee member), Stallins, J. Anthony (committee member), Department of Geography (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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