Diabatic and frictional forcing effects on the structure and intensity of tropical cyclones
| dc.contributor.author | Slocum, Christopher J., author | |
| dc.contributor.author | Schubert, Wayne H., advisor | |
| dc.contributor.author | DeMaria, Mark, advisor | |
| dc.contributor.author | Schumacher, Russ S., committee member | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kirby, Michael J., committee member | |
| dc.contributor.author | Fiorino, Michael, committee member | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2007-01-03T06:11:38Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2007-01-03T06:11:38Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2013 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Tropical cyclone intensity forecasting skill has slowed in improvement for both dynamical and statistical-dynamical forecasting methods in comparison to gains seen in track forecasting skill. Also, forecast skill related to rapid intensification, e.g. a 30 kt or greater increase in intensity within a 24-hour period, still remains poor. In order to make advances and gain a greater understanding, the processes that affect intensity change, especially rapid intensification, need further study. This work evaluates the roles of diabatic and frictional forcing on the structure and intensity of tropical cyclones. To assess the diabatic forcing effects on intensity change in tropical cyclones, this study develops applications of Eliassen's balanced vortex model to obtain one-dimensional solutions to the geopotential tendency and two-dimensional solutions to the transverse circulation. The one-dimensional balanced solutions are found with dynamical model outputs as well as aircraft reconnaissance combined with diabatic heating derived from microwave rainfall rate retrievals. This work uses solutions from both datasets to make short-range intensity predictions. The results show that for the one-dimensional solutions, the tangential tendency does not match the dynamical model or aircraft wind tendencies. To relax the assumptions of the one-dimensional solutions to the geopotential tendency, solutions for idealized vortices are examined by finding two-dimensional solutions to the transverse circulation. The two-dimensional solutions allow for evaluation of the axisymmetric structure of the vortex on the (r, z)-plane without setting the baroclinicity to zero and the static stability to a constant value. While the sensitivity of tangential wind tendency to diabatic forcing and the region of high inertial stability is more realistic in the two-dimensional results, the solutions still neglect the influence of friction from the boundary layer. To understand further the role of frictional forcing in the boundary layer, two analytical slab models developed in this study provide insight into recent work that demonstrates how dry dynamics plays a role in determining eyewall location and size, how potential vorticity rings develop, and how an outer concentric eyewall forms through boundary layer "shock-like" structures. The analytical models show that when horizontal diffusion is neglected, the u(∂u/∂r) term in the radial equation of motion and the u[ƒ + (∂v/∂r) + (v/r)] term in the tangential equation of motion develop discontinuities in the radial and tangential wind, with associated singularities in the boundary layer pumping and the boundary layer vorticity. The analytical models provide insight into the boundary layer processes that are responsible for determining the location of the eyewall and the associated diabatic heating that ultimately impacts the intensity of the tropical cyclone. This work shows that future research linking the roles of frictional forcing in the boundary layer to the diabatic forcing aloft while using a balanced model will be important for gaining insight into forcing effects on tropical cyclone intensity. | |
| dc.format.medium | born digital | |
| dc.format.medium | masters theses | |
| dc.identifier | Slocum_colostate_0053N_12131.pdf | |
| dc.identifier | ETDF2013500426ATMS | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10217/81082 | |
| dc.language | English | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.publisher | Colorado State University. Libraries | |
| dc.relation.ispartof | 2000-2019 | |
| dc.rights | Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright. | |
| dc.title | Diabatic and frictional forcing effects on the structure and intensity of tropical cyclones | |
| dc.type | Text | |
| dcterms.rights.dpla | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Atmospheric Science | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Colorado State University | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science (M.S.) |
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