THEORETICAL AND OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES OF VORTEX CLOUD PATTERNS.
Abstract
The orientation, width, and spacing of the synoptic scale cloud bands in selected extratropical and tropical cyclones are related to meteorological parameters such as the horizontal and vertical variations of the wind. Several characteristic cloud band systems are found to be associated with each vortex. It is found that the approximate wind direction at cloud-top level is normal to the bands near the vortex center, oblique to the outer bands, and parallel to the smaller bands in the cold sector. A model is developed to account for the mechanics of cloud band evolution. This simple model explains a number of observed characteristics of vortex cloud band systems, including the above relationship between flow and band orientation. A simple three-dimensional theory concerning cloud formation and band patterns in hurricanes and in occluded extratropical cyclones is developed. The theory reveals the general cloud patterns in hurricanes--the rotating spiral band, the cirrus clouds radiating out from the center, and the cloud pattern inside the eye--and the cloud band in the inner core of an occlusion. These findings agree very well with the characteristics of cloud bands in these cases. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0600069
Entities
People
- Bruce F. Watson
- Edward M. Brooks
- Wen Tang