Latent Heat Driven Energy Dynamics in Inner Core of Super Typhoon Yagi (2024) During Rapid Intensification

This study examines inner core energy transformation processes—latent heat, sensible heat, potential energy, and kinetic energy—during the rapid intensification (RI) of Super Typhoon Yagi (2024) and contrasts it with two non‐RI typhoons, Severe Tropical Storm Prapiroon (2024) and Tropical Storm Soulik (2024), in the South China Sea (SCS). During Yagi’s initial RI phase, a pronounced energy enhancement was observed within its upper‐to‐middle tropospheric core (700–400 hPa), extending radially 2.5° latitude/longitude from the storm center, primarily driven by latent heat release. A robust ascending branch facilitated sustained moisture transport to mid‐upper levels, maintaining a warm core structure and offsetting energy dissipation. In contrast, Prapiroon and Soulik, lacking RI phases, exhibited no comparable inner core energy amplification. These findings underscore the critical role of moisture ascent in RI dynamics, revealing how vertical moisture flux stabilizes energy budgets during intensification. The study provides novel insights into RI mechanisms and highlights the necessity of high‐resolution moisture profiling to improve forecasting accuracy in the SCS, where RI poses significant challenges for coastal resilience and early‐warning systems.