Numerical studies of the beta-effect in tropical cyclone motion using a semi-Lagrangian model.
Loading...
Authors
Lentz, TeriAnn
Subjects
numerical modeling
semi-Lagrangian theory
beta drift
semi-Lagrangian theory
beta drift
Advisors
Williams, R.T.
Date of Issue
1991-12
Date
December 1991
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
It has been found that the beta effect can have an important effect on tropical
cyclones. To conduct an experimental study of tropical cyclone movement on a beta
plane a numerical model was developed. This model is based on the barotropic vorticity
equation and used a semi-Lagrangian technique for the advective terms. The basic
model is studied for accuracy and efficiency. It is seen that the accuracy of the semi-
Lagrangian scheme is very good at moderate grid intervals, 20 km to 40 km, producing
a much smoother vorticity field than that produced by the finite difference model. The
efficiency of the semi-Lagrangian scheme as the time interval was increased was not fully
achieved due to the shear effect in this regional model. When the beta effect was added,
the model predicted vortex tracks and beta gyres compared well with those obtained
from the finite difference model with a 20 km grid size. However, the semi-Lagrangian
forecast with a grid size of 10 km gave somewhat different track, which could not be
explained.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
43 p.;28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.