Fig. 4: Estimation of relative contributions from each of modified genesis potential index terms responses to topographic change.
From: Central American mountains inhibit eastern North Pacific seasonal tropical cyclone activity
The June–November mean of the modified genesis potential index (GPI; unitless) calculated by setting the a 850 hPa vorticity, b 700 hPa relative humidity, c 200–850 hPa vertical wind shear, and d 500 hPa pressure level vertical velocity to values of no mountains (NMT) simulation, while setting other terms to values of control (CTL) simulation, minus the GPI directly derived from CTL simulation. e–h Similar, but for no mountain gaps (NGP) simulation. A positive anomaly indicates that environmental conditions are more favorable for TC genesis. We note that the relative contribution from the potential intensity (PI; m s−1) term is very small and we do not show here.
