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Tropical cyclone inner core structure and intensity change

dc.contributor.authorMusgrave, Kate D., author
dc.contributor.authorSchubert, Wayne, advisor
dc.contributor.authorDavis, Christopher, advisor
dc.contributor.authorJohnson, Richard, committee member
dc.contributor.authorThompson, David, committee member
dc.contributor.authorKirby, Michael, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T08:20:44Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T08:20:44Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation focuses on two projects that examine aspects of the relationship between tropical cyclone (TC) storm-scale dynamics and intensity. TC intensity change is a forecast challenge combining influences from the large-scale environment, the underlying ocean state, and the storm-scale dynamics within the TC. In particular structures and processes involving the TC eye are observed to have an impact on current and future intensity. The first project examines observations of TC eyes from aircraft reconnaissance flown into Atlantic basin TCs over the period 1989-2008. Relationships between TC eye diameter and type and intensity and intensity change are investigated. Consistent with previous studies, eye diameter does not display a direct relationship with intensity. Smaller eye diameters are observed at all intensities, though both the most and least intense TCs with eyes have smaller average eye diameters. Smaller eyes also have the largest variability in intensity change. Larger eyes show smaller ranges for intensity change, and the largest eyes tend to maintain or weaken in intensity. TCs with eyes reported had higher intensification rates and higher probabilities of undergoing rapid intensification. The second project takes a theoretical approach to examining the TC response to the location of the convection within the vortex structure using the balanced vortex model. An annular ring of heating is placed along an idealized axisymmetric vortex. The largest increase in intensity is produced when the heating is placed within the radius of maximum winds. Intensification still occurs at a lessened rate when the heating is contained within the vorticity skirt, and when the heating is outside the vorticity skirt the vortex does not intensify. The strength of the vortex increases in all cases, though less so than the intensity when the heating is within the radius of maximum winds.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierMusgrave_colostate_0053A_10874.pdf
dc.identifierETDF2011400261ATMS
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/70459
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.subjecttropical cyclone
dc.titleTropical cyclone inner core structure and intensity change
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.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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