On Tropical Cyclone Formation

Abstract

The formation (genesis) of tropical cyclones (TCs) is a complicated process that involves interactions among multi-scale circulations. While tropical disturbances exist all the time, only a few of them may develop into TCs. In this study, the daily global analysis from the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) is examined to understand why some disturbances develop into TCs while others do not. Significantly different characteristics of atmospheric variables associated with developing and nondeveloping disturbances are found. The most important parameter controlling TC formation is vertical wind shear in the North Atlantic (NA) and low-level, large-scale convergence in the western North Pacific (WNP). The result suggests that different cyclogenesis mechanisms may operate for TC formation in the two oceanic basins.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA518007

Entities

People

  • Bo Fu
  • M. S. Peng
  • Tim Li

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Biological Phenomena
  • Composite Materials
  • Convergence
  • Cyclones
  • Data Sets
  • Ecological And Environmental Phenomena
  • Ecological And Environmental Processes
  • Information Operations
  • Meteorological Phenomena
  • Meteorology
  • Military Research
  • Ocean Basins
  • Tropical Cyclones
  • Wind Shear

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology