The Extratropical Transition of Tropical Cyclones

Abstract

To improve tropical cyclone structure and intensity prediction through a research program combining high-resolution modeling and detailed observational studies to investigate physical processes by which the structure and intensity of a tropical cyclone are modified. The objective is to investigate the physical processes that occur as a tropical cyclone interacts with the environment such that intensity and structure changes occur. Specific interactions being studied are with baroclinic environments in the midlatitudes during extratropical transition. During extratropical transition, radical changes to the storm structure occur as vertical wind shear and intruding cold, dry air from the midlatitudes erode the warm core. Re-intensification to a strong midlatitude system is possible. In cases in which forecast models poorly predicted the motion and re-intensification of the storm during these transitional periods, better understanding of these processes should improve motion and intensity forecasts.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2005
Accession Number
ADA572343

Entities

People

  • Elizabeth A. Ritchie

Organizations

  • University of New Mexico

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cyclones
  • Detection
  • Dissipation
  • Earth Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Environment
  • False Alarms
  • High Resolution
  • Intensity
  • New Mexico
  • Pattern Recognition
  • Planetary Sciences
  • Recognition
  • Signal Processing
  • Simulations
  • Transitions
  • Tropical Cyclones

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers