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A simplified approach to understanding boundary layer structure impacts on tropical cyclone intensity

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dc.contributor.authorDelap, Eleanor G., author
dc.contributor.authorBell, Michael M., advisor
dc.contributor.authorMaloney, Eric D., committee member
dc.contributor.authorVenayagamoorthy, Subhas Karan, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-07T17:19:22Z
dc.date.available2019-01-07T17:19:22Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractThe relationship between tropical cyclone boundary layer (TCBL) structure and tropical cyclone (TC) intensity change is difficult to understand due to limited observations of the complex, non-linear interactions at both the top and bottom boundaries of the TCBL. Consequently, there are debates on how the TCBL interacts with surface friction and how these interactions affect TC intensity change. To begin to address these questions, a conceptual framework of how axisymmetric dynamics within the TCBL can impact TC intensity change is developed from first principles in the form of a new, simple logistic growth equation (LGE). Although this LGE bears some similarities to the operational LGE Model (LGEM; DeMaria 2009), the difference is that our growth-limiting term incorporates TCBL structure and surface drag. The carrying capacity of the LGE—termed the instantaneous logistic potential intensity (ILPI) in this study—is used to explore the relationship between TCBL structure and TC intensity. The LGE is also further solved for the drag coefficient (CD) to explore the relationships between it and both TCBL structure and TC intensity. The validity of this new LGE framework is then explored in idealized numerical modeling using the axisymmetric version of Cloud Model 1 (CM1; Bryan and Fritsch 2002). Results show that CM1 exhibits changes to TCBL structure and TC intensity that are consistent with the LGE framework. Sensitivity of these results to the turbulent mixing lengths, Lh and Lv, are also explored, and general LGE relation- ships still hold as CD is increased. Finally, the LGE framework is applied to observations, and initial CD retrievals indicate that while this new method is low compared to Bell et al. (2012), they are still plausible estimates.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierDelap_colostate_0053N_15174.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/193145
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright 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.subjectboundary layer structure
dc.subjectTCBL
dc.subjecttropical cyclone intensity
dc.subjectILPI
dc.subjectboundary layer
dc.subjecttropical cyclone
dc.titleA simplified approach to understanding boundary layer structure impacts on tropical cyclone intensity
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis 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.disciplineAtmospheric Science
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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