Interdecadal variation of tropical cyclone making landfall over the Korean Peninsula

The results from applying indices for the accumulated cyclone energy and the total movement to the change‐point analysis showed that depending on the frequency of the tropical cyclone (TC) over the Korean Peninsula for the past 54 years, the results could be categorised into three different categories: High‐frequency period‐1 (1951–1965), low‐frequency period (1966–1985), and high‐frequency period‐2 (1986–2004). During the second high‐frequency period, there were three distinct recorded changes. First, compared to the other two periods, majority of the TC occurred in the southeastern regions. Second, the TC track and recurving location shifted to the east. Therefore, the total number of TCs passing mainland China had reduced whereas the number of TCs moving across the eastern shores of mainland China showed a relative increase. In addition, the key landing area on the Korean Peninsula shifted from the western coastlines to the southern coastlines. Third, the TC intensity increased, which could be attributed to the fact that the new TCs migrated over the sea rather than moving over mainland China. Finally, these series of changes resulted in the intensification of the monsoon trough in the eastern region compared to the other two periods, as well as the synoptic characteristics preventing the westward expansion of the western North Pacific high (WNPH). Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society