Rapid Intensification in Tropical Cyclones: Dynamics, Thermodynamics and Predictability
Abstract
Funds are provided to investigate the rapid intensification (RI) process in tropical cyclones (TCs). This research plan aims to investigate: 1) the internal processes of dynamics and thermodynamics, including the relative importance of each individual process, their mutual effects, and whether these processes are properly simulated in a numerical model. This will be accomplished through case studies on the RI storms, ensemble simulations and via novel numerical experiments with careful designs. The PI will emphasize study of the internal processes that affect the distribution and strength of diabatic heating, in particular, mechanisms supporting the axisymmetrization and vertical re-alignment of the vortex, and that facilitate the outbreak and concentration of the deep convection within or near the RMW. Specific scientific issues on the RI problem to be investigated in this project are as follows:(1) Quantitative evaluation of the diabatic heating influence on TC intensitification,(2) The role of surface heat fluxes ( particularly the WISHE mechanism),(3) The predictability of RI in varied environments (e.g., oceanic thermodynamicconditions, vertical wind shear, etc),(4) The role of boundary layer processes in RI, and (5) Examination of the eye formation, warm core development and eyewall sizeevolution prior and during RI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 20, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012467
Entities
People
- Chun-Chieh Wu
Organizations
- National Taiwan University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy