Atmospheric Dynamics Analysis of Tropical Cyclone Cempaka

Abstract

Tropical Cyclone (TC) is a cyclone which emerges, develops, and dissipates in the tropical waters. Indonesian waters where is located in the tropics as a maritime continent, becomes one of the region for emerging a TC in the world. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) c.q. the Tropical Cyclone Committee (TCC) had already designated the Jakarta Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) to monitor and report the activity of TCs in the area responsibility of 90° - 125° E 0° - 10° S. This Jakarta TCWC has started operating since 24 March 2008. In the end of November 2017, the TC named Cempaka developed. This TC Cempaka caused the appearance of extremee weather especially in Southern parts of Java Island coast. At least recorded some occurrences of extremeely heavy rainfalls in Pacitan Regency reaching up to 383 mm/day, floods, landslides, and strong winds of 41-53 knots in the surface.

Domination of unstable atmospheric condition, strong convective lability, high potential thunderstorm occurrences, and strong convective condition are shown persistently during 27-29 November 2017. Cyclonic air masses over Southern part of Java Island have been detected since 23 November 2017. The monsoon activity seems to be weakened over this region in relation to the existence of this tropical disturbance. The thickness of wet air mass reaches up to 200 mb having a significant role to maintain supporting water vapor to the development of TC Cempaka. The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) has also contributed to support the emerging of TC Cempaka in this case.