scholarly journals Sensitivity of Tropical Cyclone Intensification to Axisymmetric Heat Sources: The Role of Low-Level Heating and Cooling from Different Microphysical Processes

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 4229-4246
Author(s):  
Georgina Paull ◽  
Konstantinos Menelaou ◽  
M. K. Yau
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Absolute Vorticity ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Tangential Wind ◽  
Case Simulation ◽  
Microphysical Processes ◽  
Background State

Abstract Latent heat release from condensational heating has been recognized as one of the dominating energy sources of a tropical cyclone. Here we argue that other microphysical processes may also play an important role. From an analysis of a real-case simulation of Hurricane Katrina (2005), it was found that cooling from evaporation and melting of some frozen hydrometeors radially outside the eyewall region can have similar magnitudes as condensational heating. Based on this finding, idealized thermally forced experiments were performed. The specified heating and cooling functions mimic those found in the Hurricane Katrina run. The results indicated that the addition of cooling enhances the lower-level inward radial winds, which in turn increases the acceleration of the lower-level tangential winds through an enhanced transport of absolute vorticity. Sensitivity experiments on varying the structure of the cooling functions and the background state of the vortex demonstrate that the lower-level tangential wind acceleration is more sensitive to changes in the vertical structure and location of the cooling than the radial characteristics. In addition, the lower-level acceleration is sensitive to variations in the inertial and static stabilities rather than the vertical tangential wind shear of the initial vortex and its environment.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of Tropical Cyclone Intensification to Axisymmetric Heat Sources: The Role of Inertial Stability

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 2325-2340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Paull ◽  
Konstantinos Menelaou ◽  
M. K. Yau
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Thermodynamic Efficiency ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Nonlinear Simulation ◽  
Wind Structure ◽  
Tangential Wind ◽  
Balanced Model

Abstract This study examines the influences of an axisymmetric heat source on the tangential wind structure of a tropical cyclone (TC). Specifically, the response of a TC due to the effect of convection located in varying inertial stability profiles was calculated. Using an idealized heat source, the thermodynamic efficiency hypothesis and the dynamic hypothesis for lower-level tangential wind acceleration are studied with the use of a balanced 2D model. These two frameworks for calculating the lower-level tangential wind acceleration are then compared to an idealized but thermally forced version of a nonlinear 3D model (WRF). It is found that using either of the 2D balanced model approaches to calculate the tangential wind acceleration results in an underestimation when compared to the full nonlinear simulation. In addition, the thermodynamic efficiency approach also shows a radial shift in the location of the maximum lower-level tangential wind acceleration. Sensitivity experiments in the context of the WRF Model in varying background inertial instabilities were investigated. It is shown that as the eyewall-like heating is shifted to larger values of inertial stability, there is a decrease in the induced secondary circulation in tandem with a spinup of the lower-level tangential winds. This intensification appears to be modulated by the low-level radial advection of absolute vorticity.

A Vortex-Based Perspective of Eastern Pacific Tropical Cyclone Formation

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (7) ◽  
pp. 2461-2477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Davis ◽  
Chris Snyder ◽  
Anthony C. Didlake
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Hadley Circulation ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Synoptic Scale ◽  
Cyclonic Vorticity ◽  
Absolute Vorticity ◽  
Tropical Cyclone Formation ◽  
Environmental Prediction ◽  
Background State

Abstract Tropical cyclone formation over the eastern Pacific during 2005 and 2006 was examined using primarily global operational analyses from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. This paper represents a “vortex view” of genesis, adding to previous work on tropical cyclone formation associated with tropical waves. Between 1 July and 30 September during 2005 and 2006, vortices at 900 hPa were tracked and vortex-following diagnostic quantities were computed. Vortices were more abundant during periods of an enhanced “Hadley” circulation with monsoon westerlies around 10°N in the lower troposphere. This zonally confined Hadley circulation was significantly stronger during the genesis of developing vortices. Developing vortices were stronger at the outset, with a deeper potential vorticity maximum, compared to nondeveloping vortices. This implies that developing disturbances were selected early on by favorable synoptic-scale features. The characteristic time-mean reversal of the meridional gradient of absolute vorticity in the lower troposphere was found to nearly vanish when the aggregate contribution of strong vortices was removed from the time-mean vorticity. This finding implies that it is difficult to unambiguously attribute development to a preexisting enhancement of vorticity on the synoptic scale. The time-mean enhancement of cyclonic vorticity primarily results from the accumulated effect of vortices. It is suggested that horizontal deformation in the background state helps distinguish developing vortices from nondevelopers, and also biases the latitude of development poleward of the climatological ITCZ axis.

scholarly journals An Empirical Analysis on the Relationship between Tropical Cyclone Size and Storm Surge Heights along the U.S. Gulf Coast

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hal F. Needham ◽  
Barry D. Keim
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Storm Surge ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Storm Surges ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
The U.S

Abstract In the past decade, several large tropical cyclones have generated catastrophic storm surges along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic Coasts. These storms include Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Isaac, and Sandy. This study uses empirical analysis of tropical cyclone data and maximum storm surge observations to investigate the role of tropical cyclone size in storm surge generation. Storm surge data are provided by the Storm Surge Database (SURGEDAT), a global storm surge database, while a unique tropical cyclone size dataset built from nine different data sources provides the size of the radius of maximum winds (Rmax) and the radii of 63 (34 kt), 93 (50 kt), and 119 km h−1 (64 kt) winds. Statistical analysis reveals an inverse correlation between storm surge magnitudes and Rmax sizes, while positive correlations exist between storm surge heights and the radius of 63 (34 kt), 93 (50 kt), and 119 km h−1 (64 kt) winds. Storm surge heights correlate best with the prelandfall radius of 93 km h−1 (50 kt) winds, with a Spearman correlation coefficient value of 0.82, significant at the 99.9% confidence level. Many historical examples support these statistical results. For example, the 1900 Galveston hurricane, the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, and Hurricane Camille all had small Rmax sizes but generated catastrophic surges. Hurricane Katrina provides an example of the importance of large wind fields, as hurricane-force winds extending 167 km [90 nautical miles (n mi)] from the center of circulation enabled this large storm to generate a higher storm surge level than Hurricane Camille along the same stretch of coast, even though Camille’s prelandfall winds were slightly stronger than Katrina’s. These results may be useful to the storm surge modeling community, as well as disaster science and emergency management professionals, who will benefit from better understanding the role of tropical cyclone size for storm surge generation.

scholarly journals The future of DH and the role of solar thermal energy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf-Roman Schmidt ◽  
Paolo Leoni ◽  
Hamid Aghaie
Keyword(s):  
District Heating ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Operation Costs ◽  
Almost Everywhere ◽  
Systemic Level

Solar thermal (ST) energy is one of the few renewable heat sources that is available almost everywhere and can bring multiple benefits to district heating and cooling (DHC) networks (on an environmental and systemic level) with very low operation costs and risks. However, the current share of ST in DHC networks is almost zero on a global scale.

The Role of Equatorial Rossby Waves in Tropical Cyclogenesis. Part I: Idealized Numerical Simulations in an Initially Quiescent Background Environment

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (4) ◽  
pp. 1368-1382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S. Gall ◽  
William M. Frank ◽  
Matthew C. Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Tropical Cyclogenesis ◽  
Initial Amplitude ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Wave Simulation ◽  
Horizontal Momentum ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract This two-part series of papers examines the role of equatorial Rossby (ER) waves in tropical cyclone (TC) genesis. To do this, a unique initialization procedure is utilized to insert n = 1 ER waves into a numerical model that is able to faithfully produce TCs. In this first paper, experiments are carried out under the idealized condition of an initially quiescent background environment. Experiments are performed with varying initial wave amplitudes and with and without diabatic effects. This is done to both investigate how the properties of the simulated ER waves compare to the properties of observed ER waves and explore the role of the initial perturbation strength of the ER wave on genesis. In the dry, frictionless ER wave simulation the phase speed is slightly slower than the phase speed predicted from linear theory. Large-scale ascent develops in the region of low-level poleward flow, which is in good agreement with the theoretical structure of an n = 1 ER wave. The structures and phase speeds of the simulated full-physics ER waves are in good agreement with recent observational studies of ER waves that utilize wavenumber–frequency filtering techniques. Convection occurs primarily in the eastern half of the cyclonic gyre, as do the most favorable conditions for TC genesis. This region features sufficient midlevel moisture, anomalously strong low-level cyclonic vorticity, enhanced convection, and minimal vertical shear. Tropical cyclogenesis occurs only in the largest initial-amplitude ER wave simulation. The formation of the initial tropical disturbance that ultimately develops into a tropical cyclone is shown to be sensitive to the nonlinear horizontal momentum advection terms. When the largest initial-amplitude simulation is rerun with the nonlinear horizontal momentum advection terms turned off, tropical cyclogenesis does not occur, but the convectively coupled ER wave retains the properties of the ER wave observed in the smaller initial-amplitude simulations. It is shown that this isolated wave-only genesis process only occurs for strong ER waves in which the nonlinear advection is large. Part II will look at the more realistic case of ER wave–related genesis in which a sufficiently intense ER wave interacts with favorable large-scale flow features.

A New Time-dependent Theory of Tropical Cyclone Intensification

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqing Wang ◽  
Yuanlong Li ◽  
Jing Xu
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Quasi Equilibrium ◽  
Free Atmosphere ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Tangential Wind

AbstractIn this study, the boundary-layer tangential wind budget equation following the radius of maximum wind, together with an assumed thermodynamical quasi-equilibrium boundary layer is used to derive a new equation for tropical cyclone (TC) intensification rate (IR). A TC is assumed to be axisymmetric in thermal wind balance with eyewall convection becoming in moist slantwise neutrality in the free atmosphere above the boundary layer as the storm intensifies as found recently based on idealized numerical simulations. An ad-hoc parameter is introduced to measure the degree of congruence of the absolute angular momentum and the entropy surfaces. The new IR equation is evaluated using results from idealized ensemble full-physics axisymmetric numerical simulations. Results show that the new IR equation can reproduce the time evolution of the simulated TC intensity. The new IR equation indicates a strong dependence of IR on both TC intensity and the corresponding maximum potential intensity (MPI). A new finding is the dependence of TC IR on the square of the MPI in terms of the near-surface wind speed for any given relative intensity. Results from some numerical integrations of the new IR equation also suggest the finite-amplitude nature of TC genesis. In addition, the new IR theory is also supported by some preliminary results based on best-track TC data over the North Atlantic and eastern and western North Pacific. Compared with the available time-dependent theories of TC intensification, the new IR equation can provide a realistic intensity-dependent IR during weak intensity stage as in observations.

Why does rapid contraction of the radius of maximum wind precede rapid intensification in tropical cyclones?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanlong Li ◽  
Yuqing Wang ◽  
Yanluan Lin ◽  
Xin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Radial Distribution ◽  
Diabatic Heating ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Rapid Intensification ◽  
Absolute Vorticity ◽  
Radial Gradient ◽  
Maximum Wind ◽  
Tangential Wind ◽  
Vorticity Flux

AbstractThe radius of maximum wind (RMW) has been found to contract rapidly well preceding rapid intensification in tropical cyclones (TCs) in recent literature but the understanding of the involved dynamics is incomplete. In this study, this phenomenon is revisited based on ensemble axisymmetric numerical simulations. Consistent with previous studies, because the absolute angular momentum (AAM) is not conserved following the RMW, the phenomenon can not be understood based on the AAM-based dynamics. Both budgets of tangential wind and the rate of change in the RMW are shown to provide dynamical insights into the simulated relationship between the rapid intensification and rapid RMW contraction. During the rapid RMW contraction stage, due to the weak TC intensity and large RMW, the moderate negative radial gradient of radial vorticity flux and small curvature of the radial distribution of tangential wind near the RMW favor rapid RMW contraction but weak diabatic heating far inside the RMW leads to weak low-level inflow and small radial absolute vorticity flux near the RMW and thus a relatively small intensification rate. As RMW contraction continues and TC intensity increases, diabatic heating inside the RMW and radial inflow near the RMW increase, leading to a substantial increase in radial absolute vorticity flux near the RMW and thus the rapid TC intensification. However, the RMW contraction rate decreases rapidly due to the rapid increase in the curvature of the radial distribution of tangential wind near the RMW as the TC intensifies rapidly and RMW decreases.

Pathways to the Production of Precipitating Hydrometeors and Tropical Cyclone Development

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (6) ◽  
pp. 2395-2420 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-W. Bao ◽  
S. A. Michelson ◽  
E. D. Grell
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Weather Research And Forecasting ◽  
Rapid Intensification ◽  
Latent Heating ◽  
Vertical Distributions ◽  
Double Moment ◽  
Microphysical Processes ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Pathways to the production of precipitation in two cloud microphysics schemes available in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model are investigated in a scenario of tropical cyclone intensification. Comparisons of the results from the WRF Model simulations indicate that the variation in the simulated initial rapid intensification of an idealized tropical cyclone is due to the differences between the two cloud microphysics schemes in their representations of pathways to the formation and growth of precipitating hydrometeors. Diagnoses of the source and sink terms of the hydrometeor budget equations indicate that the major differences in the production of hydrometeors between the schemes are in the spectral definition of individual hydrometeor categories and spectrum-dependent microphysical processes, such as accretion growth and sedimentation. These differences lead to different horizontally averaged vertical profiles of net latent heating rate associated with significantly different horizontally averaged vertical distributions and production rates of hydrometeors in the simulated clouds. Results from this study also highlight the possibility that the advantage of double-moment formulations can be overshadowed by the uncertainties in the spectral definition of individual hydrometeor categories and spectrum-dependent microphysical processes.

scholarly journals The Unconventional Eyewall Replacement Cycle of Hurricane Ophelia (2005)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Naufal Razin ◽  
Michael M. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Intensity Change ◽  
Wind Maximum ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Tangential Wind ◽  
Eyewall Replacement Cycle ◽  
Flight Level ◽  
Intensive Observation ◽  
Observation Period ◽  
Replacement Cycle

AbstractHurricane Ophelia (2005) underwent an unconventional eyewall replacement cycle (ERC) as it was a Category 1 storm located over cold sea surface temperatures near 23°C. The ERC was analyzed using airborne radar, flight-level, and dropsonde data collected during the Hurricane Rainband and Intensity Change Experiment (RAINEX) intensive observation period on 11 September 2005. Results showed that the spin-up of the secondary tangential wind maximum during the ERC can be attributed to the efficient convergence of absolute angular momentum by the mid-level inflow of Ophelia’s dominantly stratiform rainbands. This secondary tangential wind maximum strongly contributed to the azimuthal mean tangential wind field, which is conducive for increased low-level supergradient winds and corresponding outflow. The low-level supergradient forcing enhanced convergence to form a secondary eyewall. Ophelia provides a unique example of an ERC occurring in a weaker storm with predominantly stratiform rainbands, suggesting an important role of stratiform precipitation processes in the development of secondary eyewalls.

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