Tropical Cyclone Cloud and Intensity Relationships.
Abstract
This paper describes an observational study of tropical cyclones based on high resolution visual and infrared Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) pictures of western North Pacific storms. It also utilizes composited rawinsonde data about storms in the same geographical region. It discusses the physical characteristics, cloud characteristics and wind and thermodynamic characteristics associated with each of four stages of tropical cyclone development (developing cluster, tropical depression, tropical storm, and typhoons). Among the physical characteristics discussed are typical storm sizes, types of banding most often observed, location and type of circulation center, intensification rates, and eye dimensions. Cloud characteristics include the percent of storm area covered by cirrus and convective cloud types and the distribution and characteristics of the basic convective element found in DMSP data. Among the wind and thermodynamic parameters investigated were vertical motion, vorticity, tangential wind, moisture, and temperature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA049934
Entities
People
- Charles P. Arnold
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology