The dynamics of intensification in a Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting simulation of Hurricane Earl (2010)
Abstract
We use a high‐resolution numerical simulation of Atlantic Hurricane Earl (2010) to increase our understanding of Earl's intensification in relatively strong vertical shear in the context of a recent paradigm for tropical cyclone intensification. The integrity of the simulation is judged by comparing analyses thereof with those of the unprecedented observational data gathered in Earl. Consistent with the classical view of spin‐up, the amplification of the tangential wind field above the boundary layer is found to occur as the absolute angular momentum surfaces are drawn inwards by the aggregate heating of the rotating convective clouds in the interior of the vortex. In addition to this classical pathway, spin‐up occurs within the inner‐core boundary layer, where the maximum tangential winds occur. The latter is another element of the new paradigm.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 25, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1002/qj.2922
Entities
People
- Jun A. Zhang
- Michael T. Montgomery
- Roger K. Smith
Organizations
- German Research Foundation
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- National Science Foundation
- Naval Postgraduate School
- Office of Naval Research Global
- University of Miami