The tropical cyclogenesis "hole" in the Caribbean

There exists a distinct lack of tropical cyclogenesis in the eastern and central Caribbean Sea when compared to the tropical North Atlantic Ocean to the east, and to the western Caribbean Sea and eastern North Pacific Ocean to the west. While little research has specifically focussed on this phenomenon, some studies have commented on regional features that may influence this oddity, such as the Caribbean low-level jet (e.g., Amador 1998, Wang 2007 and Muñoz et al. 2008).

The present study addresses the reasons for the apparent genesis hole in the Caribbean by first assessing the mean summertime environment of the Caribbean, in particular the distribution of sea surface temperature, vertical wind shear, relative humidity, and potential vorticity gradient. Next, the role of transient disturbances will be investigated, including easterly waves and the MJO. Particular attention is paid to the track and intensity evolution of easterly waves as they enter, transit, and leave the Caribbean.