Tropical Cyclone Motion: Environmental Interaction Plus a Beta Effect,
Abstract
The dynamics of tropical cyclone motion are investigated by solving the vergent barotropic vorticity equation on a beta plane. Two methods of solution are presented: a direct analytic solution for a constant basic current, and a simple numerical solution for a more general condition. These solutions indicate that cyclone motion can be accurately prescribed by a non linear combination of two processes: an interaction between the cyclone and its basic current (the well known steering concept), and an interaction with the earth's vorticity field which causes a westward deviation from the pure steering flow. The nonlinear manner in which these two processes combine together with the effect of asymmetries in the steering current raise some interesting questions on the way in which cyclones of different characteristics interact with their environment, and has implications for tropical cyclone forecasting and the manner in which forecasting techniques are derived. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA131808
Entities
People
- Greg J. Holland
Organizations
- Colorado State University