Why Do Model Tropical Cyclones Intensify More Rapidly at Low Latitudes?
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Authors
Smith, Roger K.
Kilroy, Gerard
Montgomery, Michael T.
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2015-05
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Abstract
The authors examine the problem of why model tropical cyclones intensify more rapidly at low latitudes.
The answer to this question touches on practically all facets of the dynamics and thermodynamics of tropical
cyclones. The answer invokes the conventional spin-up mechanism, as articulated in classical and recent work,
together with a boundary layer feedback mechanism linking the strength of the boundary layer inflow to that
of the diabatic forcing of the meridional overturning circulation.
The specific role of the frictional boundary layer in regulating the dependence of the intensification rate on
latitude is discussed. It is shown that, even if the tangential wind profile at the top of the boundary layer is held
fixed, a simple, steady boundary layer model produces stronger low-level inflow and stronger, more confined
ascent out of the boundary layer as the latitude is decreased, similar to the behavior found in a timedependent,
three-dimensional numerical model. In an azimuthally averaged view of the problem, the most
prominent quantitative differences between the time-dependent simulations at 108 and 308N are the stronger
boundary layer inflow and the stronger ascent of air exiting the boundary layer, together with the much larger
diabatic heating rate and its radial gradient above the boundary layer at the lower latitude. These differences,
in conjunction with the convectively induced convergence of absolute angular momentum, greatly surpass the
effects of rotational stiffness (inertial stability) and evaporative-wind feedback that have been proposed in
some prior explanations.
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The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-14-0044.1
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Meteorology
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Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, Volume 72, May 2015.
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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.