Minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification
We examine a hierarchy of minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification. These models are framed mostly in terms of axisymmetric balance dynamics. In the first set of models, the heating rate is prescribed in such a way to mimic a deep overturning circulation with convergence in the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Tropical Cyclone Research and Review |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225603222000121 |
| _version_ | 1818027173246664704 |
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| author | Michael T. Montgomery Roger K. Smith |
| author_facet | Michael T. Montgomery Roger K. Smith |
| author_sort | Michael T. Montgomery |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We examine a hierarchy of minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification. These models are framed mostly in terms of axisymmetric balance dynamics. In the first set of models, the heating rate is prescribed in such a way to mimic a deep overturning circulation with convergence in the lower troposphere and divergence in the upper troposphere, characteristic of a region of deep moist convection. In the second set, the heating rate is related explicitly to the latent heat release of ascending air parcels. The release of latent heat markedly reduces the local static stability of ascending air, raising two possibilities in the balance framework. The first possibility is that the effective static stability and the related discriminant in the Eliassen equation for the overturning circulation in saturated air, although small, remains positive so the Eliassen equation is globally elliptic. The second possibility, the more likely one during vortex intensification, is that the effective static stability in saturated air is negative and the Eliassen equation becomes locally hyperbolic. These models help to understand the differences between the early Ooyama models of 1968 and 1969, the Emanuel, 1989 model, and the later Emanuel models of 1995, 1997 and 2012. They provide insight also into the popular explanation of the WISHE feedback mechanism for tropical cyclone intensification. Some implications for recent work are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T04:43:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fd1f3bc205424a18b743f40b31a5a53b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2225-6032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T04:43:41Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tropical Cyclone Research and Review |
| spelling | doaj.art-fd1f3bc205424a18b743f40b31a5a53b2022-12-22T02:01:49ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Tropical Cyclone Research and Review2225-60322022-06-011126175Minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensificationMichael T. Montgomery0Roger K. Smith1Department of Meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, USA; Corresponding author. Dept. of Meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, 93943, USA.Meteorological Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, GermanyWe examine a hierarchy of minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification. These models are framed mostly in terms of axisymmetric balance dynamics. In the first set of models, the heating rate is prescribed in such a way to mimic a deep overturning circulation with convergence in the lower troposphere and divergence in the upper troposphere, characteristic of a region of deep moist convection. In the second set, the heating rate is related explicitly to the latent heat release of ascending air parcels. The release of latent heat markedly reduces the local static stability of ascending air, raising two possibilities in the balance framework. The first possibility is that the effective static stability and the related discriminant in the Eliassen equation for the overturning circulation in saturated air, although small, remains positive so the Eliassen equation is globally elliptic. The second possibility, the more likely one during vortex intensification, is that the effective static stability in saturated air is negative and the Eliassen equation becomes locally hyperbolic. These models help to understand the differences between the early Ooyama models of 1968 and 1969, the Emanuel, 1989 model, and the later Emanuel models of 1995, 1997 and 2012. They provide insight also into the popular explanation of the WISHE feedback mechanism for tropical cyclone intensification. Some implications for recent work are discussed.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225603222000121Tropical cyclone intensificationConventional spin-up mechanismMinimal modelsNonlinear boundary layer spin-up mechanismWISHE feedback Mechanism |
| spellingShingle | Michael T. Montgomery Roger K. Smith Minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification Tropical Cyclone Research and Review Tropical cyclone intensification Conventional spin-up mechanism Minimal models Nonlinear boundary layer spin-up mechanism WISHE feedback Mechanism |
| title | Minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification |
| title_full | Minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification |
| title_fullStr | Minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification |
| title_full_unstemmed | Minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification |
| title_short | Minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification |
| title_sort | minimal conceptual models for tropical cyclone intensification |
| topic | Tropical cyclone intensification Conventional spin-up mechanism Minimal models Nonlinear boundary layer spin-up mechanism WISHE feedback Mechanism |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225603222000121 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT michaeltmontgomery minimalconceptualmodelsfortropicalcycloneintensification AT rogerksmith minimalconceptualmodelsfortropicalcycloneintensification |