Why Tropical Cyclones' Rainfall Surges Before Landfall

Why tropical cyclones' rainfall surges before landfall

A research team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has analyzed 40 years of data covering about 1,500 tropical cyclones and discovered that average rain rates surge by more than 20% in the 60 hours before landfall. The study is also the first to clearly identify the physical mechanisms behind this increase, showing that rising humidity over coastal areas and enhanced land-sea frictional contrasts strengthen convection,…

HKUST Study Reveals Why Tropical Cyclones Rainfall Surges Before Landfall | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

HKUST Study Reveals Why Tropical Cyclones Rainfall Surges Before Landfall Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 02/27/2026 - 15:51 A research team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has analyzed 40 years of data covering around 1,500 tropical cyclones and discovered that average rain rates surge by more than 20% in the 60 hours before landfall. The study is also the first to clearly identify the physical mechanisms behind this…