Tropical cyclone intensity and sea surface temperature

It is hypothesized that the effect of the SST on the intensity of tropical cyclones can be separated into two distinct contributions; one from the large-scale SST field that is in equilibrium with the atmosphere, and another one from a local reduction of the SST under the eye of the cyclone due to the surface winds of the cyclone. It therefore suggests a much higher importance of the SST feedback effect on the intensity of tropical cyclones than has previously been thought.