scholarly journals The Extratropical Transition of Tropical Cyclone Edisoana (1990)

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (8) ◽  
pp. 2772-2793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle S. Griffin ◽  
Lance F. Bosart

Abstract Documentation of southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) tropical cyclones (TCs) and extratropical transition (ET) events is sparse in the refereed literature. The authors present a climatology of SWIO TC and ET events for 1989–2013. The SWIO averages ~9 tropical cyclones (TCs) per year in this modern era. Of these TCs, ~44% undergo extratropical transition (ET), or ~four per year. A case study of TC Edisoana (1990), the most rapidly intensifying SWIO post-ET TC between 1989 and 2013, shows that extratropical interactions began when an approaching trough embedded in the subtropical jet stream (STJ) induced ET on 7 March. As Edisoana underwent ET, a subtropical ridge downstream amplified in response to poleward-directed positive potential vorticity (PV) advection associated with diabatically (convectively) driven upper-level outflow from TC Edisoana. This amplifying lower-latitude ridge phased with a lower-amplitude higher-latitude ridge embedded in the polar front jet (PFJ), resulting in the merger of the two jets. This ridge phasing and jet merger, combined with the approach of an upstream trough embedded in the PFJ, resulted in a decrease in the half-wavelength between the approaching trough and the downstream phased ridges and provided extratropical cyclone Edisoana with a prime environment for rapid reintensification (RI). Poleward-directed positive PV advection into the phased ridge strengthened the upper-level jet downstream of Edisoana, which provided the primary baroclinic forcing throughout the RI phase. A backward trajectory analysis suggests that strong diabatic heating enhanced favorable synoptic-scale forcing for ascent from the upstream and downstream jet streaks and played a crucial role in the deepening of Edisoana through the ET and RI periods.

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 715-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen F. Corfidi ◽  
Sarah J. Corfidi ◽  
David A. Imy ◽  
Allen L. Logan

Abstract An examination of severe wind-producing mesoscale convective systems that occur in environments of very limited moisture is presented. Such systems, herein referred to as low-dewpoint derechos (LDDs), are difficult to forecast as they form in regions where the level of convective instability is well below that normally associated with severe convective weather. Using a dataset consisting of 12 LDDs that affected various parts of the continental United States, composite surface and upper-level analyses are constructed. These are used to identify factors that appear to be associated with LDD initiation and sustenance. It is shown that LDDs occur in mean kinematic and thermodynamic patterns notably different from those associated with most derechos. LDDs typically form along or just ahead of cold fronts, in the exit region of strong, upper-level jet streaks. Based on the juxtaposition of features in the composite analysis, it appears that linear forcing for ascent provided by the front, and/or ageostrophic circulations associated with the jet streak, induce the initial convective development where the lower levels are relatively dry, but lapse rates are steep. This convection subsequently grows upscale as storm downdrafts merge. The data further suggest that downstream cell propagation follows in the form of sequential, downwind-directed microbursts. Largely unidirectional wind profiles promote additional downwind-directed storm development and system sustenance until the LDD ultimately moves beyond the region supportive of forced convective initiation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley F. Rose ◽  
Peter V. Hobbs ◽  
John D. Locatelli ◽  
Mark T. Stoelinga

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Letícia De Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Lucas Vaz Peres ◽  
Franciano Scremin Puhales ◽  
Vagner Anabor ◽  
Damaris Kirsch Pinheiro

Stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) events were identified over southern Brazil acting as a stratospheric ozone source to the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) during 2011-2013 period. There were 13 events with direct influence between 29° and 31° S (center of Rio Grande do Sul), with increase in ozone total column. In these cases, 4 occurred in 2011, 5 in 2012 and 4 in 2013. They were divided: in relation to the exchange latitude, the upper-level Jet Stream act, altitude of source and arrive of air parcels. The air parcels cross the tropopause between 120 and 320 hPa (dynamic tropopause), entering troposphere until the lower troposphere. Most cases (30,8%) reached 1000 hPa and the rest between 600 and 900 hPa. Just in one day the STE occurred in a lower latitude than 29° S; in all the other days (92,3%), STEs occurred in higher latitudes than 31° S (the closer it gets to the pole, the bigger is the ozone concentration, except in Ozone Hole Influence events) or between 29° and 31° S. In most cases (61,5%) it was observed STE along with the Jet Streak act.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1061
Author(s):  
Gunwoo Do ◽  
Hyeong-Seog Kim

The effect of the jet stream on the changes in the intensity of tropical cyclones (TC) affecting Korea is discussed. We classified the TCs into three categories based on the decreasing rate of TC intensity in 24 h after TC passed 30° N. The TCs with a large intensity decrease had a more vigorous intensity when the TCs approached the mid-latitudes. The analysis of observational fields showed that the strong jet stream over Korea and Japan may intensify TCs by the secondary circulations of jet entrance but induces a large decrease in TC intensity in the mid-latitudes by the strong vertical wind shear. We also performed the numerical simulation for the effect of the jet stream on the intensity changes of Typhoon Chaba (2016). As a result, the stronger jet stream induced more low-level moisture convergence at the south of the jet stream entrance, enhancing the intensity when the TC approached Korea. Furthermore, it induced a rapid reduction in intensity when TC approached in the strong jet stream area. The results suggest that the upper-level jet stream is one of the critical factors modulating the intensity of TC affecting Korea in the vicinity of the mid-latitudes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 1022-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Moore ◽  
Lance F. Bosart ◽  
Daniel Keyser ◽  
Michael L. Jurewicz

Abstract The synoptic-scale environments of predecessor rain events (PREs) occurring to the east of the Rocky Mountains in association with Atlantic basin tropical cyclones (TCs) are examined. PREs that occurred during 1988–2010 are subjectively classified based upon the synoptic-scale upper-level flow configuration within which the PRE develops, with a focus on the following: 1) the position of the jet streak relative to the TC, 2) the position of the jet streak relative to trough and ridge axes, and 3) the positions of trough and ridge axes relative to the PRE and to the TC. Three categories were identified from this classification procedure: “jet in ridge,” “southwesterly jet,” and “downstream confluence.” PRE-relative composite analysis for each category reveals that, consistent with previous studies, PREs typically occur near a low-level baroclinic zone, beneath the equatorward entrance region of an upper-level jet streak, and in the presence of a stream of water vapor from a TC. Despite these common characteristics, key differences exist among the three PRE categories related to the phasing of a TC with the synoptic-scale flow and to the interactions between a TC and its environment. Brief case studies of PREs associated with TC Rita (2005), TC Wilma (2005), and TC Ernesto (2006) are presented as specific examples of the three PRE categories.


Author(s):  
Manda B. Chasteen ◽  
Steven E. Koch

AbstractOne of the most prolific tornado outbreaks ever documented occurred on 26–27 April 2011 and comprised three successive episodes of tornadic convection that culminated with the development of numerous long-track, violent tornadoes over the southeastern U.S. during the afternoon of 27 April. This notorious afternoon supercell outbreak was preceded by two quasi-linear convective systems (hereafter QLCS1 and QLCS2), the first of which was an anomalously severe nocturnal system that rapidly grew upscale during the previous evening. In this Part II, we use a series of RUC 1-h forecasts and output from convection-permitting WRF-ARW simulations configured both with and without latent heat release to investigate how environmental modifications and upscale feedbacks produced by the two QLCSs contributed to the evolution and exceptional severity of this multi-episode outbreak.QLCS1 was primarily responsible for amplifying the large-scale flow pattern, inducing two upper-level jet streaks, and promoting secondary surface cyclogenesis downstream from the primary baroclinic system. Upper-level divergence markedly increased after QLCS1 developed, which yielded strong isallobaric forcing that rapidly strengthened the low-level jet (LLJ) and vertical wind shear over the warm sector and contributed to the system’s upscale growth and notable severity. Moreover, QLCS2 modified the mesoscale environment prior to the supercell outbreak by promoting the downstream formation of a pronounced upper-level jet streak, altering the midlevel jet structure, and furthering the development of a highly ageostrophic LLJ over the Southeast. Collectively, the flow modifications produced by both QLCSs contributed to the notably favorable shear profiles present during the afternoon supercell outbreak.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 4204-4220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Riemer ◽  
Marlene Baumgart ◽  
Sven Eiermann

Abstract During extratropical transition (ET), tropical cyclones exert a significant impact on the midlatitude circulation. Archetypical features of this impact are jet streak formation, amplification of the downstream trough, and modification of the associated downstream cyclogenesis. This study investigates the relative importance of the jet streak and the upper-level trough for cyclone development by quantifying the respective contributions to midtropospheric vertical motion using the Q-vector partitioning by J. C. Jusem and R. Atlas. Their framework is here extended from quasigeostrophic theory to alternative balance. The Q vector under alternative balance involves the nondivergent wind, instead of the geostrophic wind, and therefore represents more accurately the balanced dynamics associated with vertical motion, in particular downstream of ET where the flow often exhibits significant curvature associated with the amplified trough. An idealized ET scenario and three real cases, the cyclones downstream of Hanna (2008), Choi-wan (2008), and Jangmi (2009), are analyzed. In all cases, the trough plays a prominent role in cyclone development. The jet streak plays a prominent, favorable role in the idealized ET scenario and downstream of Hanna. In contrast, the role of the jet streak downstream of Choi-wan is clearly of secondary importance. Interestingly, downstream of Jangmi the jet streak has a prominent but detrimental impact. It is concluded that amplified jet streaks associated with ET have the potential to be of significant importance for downstream cyclone development. The few cases considered in this study, however, point to a large case-to-case variability of the role of the jet streak.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Susanne Sandra Schroder

<p>A comprehensive study on cyclones of subtropical origin (STCs) in the Southwest Pacific is carried out. A brief history of the damage caused by STCs in New Zealand between 1990 and 2005 is given. It shows that approximately 2 to 3 times a year STCs come into the vicinity of New Zealand, mostly affecting the North Island and causing predominantly flood damage. A climatology is compiled with a cyclone track database covering 21 years, providing an overview of the behaviour and characteristics of STCs in this region. Distinct annual and seasonal patterns in frequency, tracks and intensity are revealed. Some of these patterns resemble those of tropical cyclones, in particular those undergoing extratropical transition, while others resemble those of extratropical cyclones in this region. In addition, it is shown that there is a significant increase in the number of summer STCs, which coincides with an increase in sea surface temperatures in the area. The structure and processes involved in the development of STCs are investigated in more detail using data from the United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO) global model spanning 5 years (1999 to 2003). An analysis of the upper-level flow shows that STCs are steered into midlatitudes by upper-level baroclinic waves, m general through interaction with an upper-level trough. Differences in the structure and development of STCs can be attributed to the fact that upper-level baroclinic waves are able to propagate far into the sub tropics in this region. This is also the reason for the existence of three types of STCs, when differentiating by characteristics of their development process. Type 1 STCs are very similar to extratropical cyclones in structure and development. The structure and the development process of Type 3 STCs resemble more those of tropical cyclones. The initial development of Type 2 STCs is similar to that of Type 3, but they then undergo a transition, found to be very similar to that of tropical cyclones undergoing extratropical transition. Interseasonal variations in the upper-level flow over the Southwest Pacific are reflected in the behaviour and characteristics of STCs and subsequently the occurrence of the three types of STCs. During the colder seasons baroclinic waves frequently propagate relatively far into the subtropics in this region. This means STCs not only have a high chance of being picked up by an upper-level trough and undergoing extratropical transition, they are also able to actually form in the vicinity of a trough. Thus, during that time most STCs tend to be either Type 1 or 2. On the other hand, during summer, when baroclinic waves only occasionally propagate into the subtropics, there is a higher frequency of Type 3 STCs. In terms of weather-related threats to New Zealand, the interaction with an upperlevel trough is the cause for STCs coming into the vicinity of New Zealand, while the high rain rates that accompany them, and that are the cause for the extensive, mostly flood-related, damage, are attributed to their place of origin.</p>


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