Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

The Resonant Excitation of Baroclinic Waves by the Divergent Circulation of Recurving Tropical Cyclones

Daniel Hodyss Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, California

Search for other papers by Daniel Hodyss in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
Eric Hendricks Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, California

Search for other papers by Eric Hendricks in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Nov 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2010JAS3459.1
Page(s):
3600–3616
Restricted access

Abstract

This paper explores the hypothesis that a tropical cyclone (TC) may produce baroclinic waves through the divergent circulation that arises from its low-level inflow and upper-level outflow. The model setting is a quasigeostrophic (QG) two-layer fluid in which the effect of the tropical cyclone is parameterized through a source term on the QG potential vorticity equation. Equations predicting the spectral subset of baroclinic waves that are excited through linear resonance are derived. The near-TC pattern of the baroclinic waves in the streamfunction field typically takes the form of a ridge–trough couplet whose phase with respect to the TC varies with the speed and direction of the TCs motion vector. The predictions from the linearized theory are verified in two ways: 1) fully nonlinear simulations are shown and 2) comparison is made to the observed upper-level ridge–trough couplets produced by recurving TCs in the Navy’s Operational Global Prediction System (NOGAPS). The implications of this work for the predictability of downstream impacts from recurving TCs are briefly described.

Corresponding author address: Daniel Hodyss, Naval Research Laboratory, 7 Grace Hopper Ave., Stop 2, Monterey, CA, 93943. Email: daniel.hodyss@nrlmry.navy.mil

Abstract

This paper explores the hypothesis that a tropical cyclone (TC) may produce baroclinic waves through the divergent circulation that arises from its low-level inflow and upper-level outflow. The model setting is a quasigeostrophic (QG) two-layer fluid in which the effect of the tropical cyclone is parameterized through a source term on the QG potential vorticity equation. Equations predicting the spectral subset of baroclinic waves that are excited through linear resonance are derived. The near-TC pattern of the baroclinic waves in the streamfunction field typically takes the form of a ridge–trough couplet whose phase with respect to the TC varies with the speed and direction of the TCs motion vector. The predictions from the linearized theory are verified in two ways: 1) fully nonlinear simulations are shown and 2) comparison is made to the observed upper-level ridge–trough couplets produced by recurving TCs in the Navy’s Operational Global Prediction System (NOGAPS). The implications of this work for the predictability of downstream impacts from recurving TCs are briefly described.

Corresponding author address: Daniel Hodyss, Naval Research Laboratory, 7 Grace Hopper Ave., Stop 2, Monterey, CA, 93943. Email: daniel.hodyss@nrlmry.navy.mil

Save
Cover Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences

  • Aiyyer, A. R., and J. Molinari, 1999: Idealized modeling of hurricane–trough interactions in the outflow layer. Preprints, 23rd Conf. on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, Dallas, TX, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 989–990.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Anwender, D., P. A. Harr, and S. C. Jones, 2008: Predictability associated with the downstream impacts of the extratropical transition of tropical cyclones: Case studies. Mon. Wea. Rev., 136 , 3226–3247.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bell, G. I., 1990: Interaction between vortices and waves in a simple model of geophysical flow. Phys. Fluids, 2 , 575–586.

  • Bosart, L. F., and G. M. Lackmann, 1995: Postlandfall tropical cyclone reintensification in a weakly baroclinic environment: A case study of Hurricane David (September 1979). Mon. Wea. Rev., 123 , 3268–3291.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Carr III, L. E., and R. L. Elsberry, 1995: Monsoonal interactions leading to sudden tropical cyclone track changes. Mon. Wea. Rev., 123 , 265–290.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chan, J. C. L., 1985: Identification of the steering flow for tropical cyclone motion from objectively analyzed wind fields. Mon. Wea. Rev., 113 , 106–116.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chan, J. C. L., 2005: The physics of tropical cyclone motion. Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech., 37 , 99–128.

  • Chan, J. C. L., and R. T. Williams, 1987: Analytical and numerical studies of the beta-effect in tropical cyclone motion. Part I: Zero mean flow. J. Atmos. Sci., 44 , 1257–1265.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Durran, D. R., 1991: The third-order Adams–Bashforth method: An attractive alternative to leapfrog time differencing. Mon. Wea. Rev., 119 , 702–720.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Farrell, B. F., and P. J. Ioannou, 1996: Generalized stability theory. Part I: Autonomous operators. J. Atmos. Sci., 53 , 2025–2040.

  • Frank, W. M., 1977: The structure and energetics of the tropical cyclone. I. Storm structure. Mon. Wea. Rev., 105 , 1119–1135.

  • Ge, X., T. Li, Y. Wang, and M. S. Peng, 2008: Tropical cyclone energy dispersion in a three-dimensional primitive equation model: Upper-tropospheric influence. J. Atmos. Sci., 65 , 2272–2289.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Goerss, J. S., and R. A. Jeffries, 1994: Assimilation of synthetic tropical cyclone observations into the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System. Wea. Forecasting, 9 , 557–576.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Harr, P. A., D. Anwender, and S. C. Jones, 2008: Predictability associated with the downstream impacts of the extratropical transition of tropical cyclones: Methodology and a case study of Typhoon Nabi (2005). Mon. Wea. Rev., 136 , 3205–3225.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Harris, F. J., 1978: On the use of windows for harmonic analysis with the discrete Fourier transform. Proc. IEEE, 66 , 51–83.

  • Hodyss, D., and T. Nathan, 2007: The role of forcing in the local stability of stationary long waves. Part 1. Linear dynamics. J. Fluid Mech., 576 , 349–376.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hogan, T. F., and T. E. Rosmond, 1991: The description of the U.S. Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System’s spectral forecast model. Mon. Wea. Rev., 119 , 1786–1815.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jones, S. C., and Coauthors, 2003: The extratropical transition of tropical cyclones: Forecast challenges, current understanding, and future directions. Wea. Forecasting, 18 , 1052–1092.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Klein, P. M., P. A. Harr, and R. L. Elsberry, 2000: Extratropical transition of western North Pacific tropical cyclones: An overview and conceptual model of the transformation stage. Wea. Forecasting, 15 , 373–395.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kossin, J. P., and M. D. Eastin, 2001: Two distinct regimes in the kinematic and thermodynamic structure of the hurricane eye and eyewall. J. Atmos. Sci., 58 , 1079–1090.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Krouse, K. D., A. H. Sobel, and L. M. Polvani, 2008: On the wavelength of the Rossby waves radiated by tropical cyclones. J. Atmos. Sci., 65 , 644–654.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Li, T., and B. Fu, 2006: Tropical cyclogenesis associated with Rossby wave energy dispersion of a preexisting typhoon. Part I: Satellite data analyses. J. Atmos. Sci., 63 , 1377–1389.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lighthill, M. J., 1967: On waves generated in dispersive systems by travelling forcing effects, with applications to the dynamics of rotating fluids. J. Fluid Mech., 27 , 725–752.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Llewellyn Smith, S. G., 2000: Energy and pseudomomentum of propagating disturbances on the beta-plane. Dyn. Atmos. Oceans, 32 , 135–151.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Merkine, L., 1977: Convective and absolute instability of baroclinic eddies. Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dyn., 9 , 129–157.

  • Nieto Ferreira, R., and W. H. Schubert, 1999: The role of tropical cyclones in the formation of tropical upper-tropospheric troughs. J. Atmos. Sci., 56 , 2891–2907.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Pedlosky, J., 1987: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. 2nd ed. Springer-Verlag, 710 pp.

  • Riemer, M., and S. C. Jones, 2010: The downstream impact of tropical cyclones on a developing baroclinic wave in idealized scenarios of extratropical transition. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 136 , 617–637.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Riemer, M., S. C. Jones, and C. A. Davis, 2008: The impact of extratropical transition on the downstream flow: An idealized modelling study with a straight jet. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 134 , 69–91.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sardeshmukh, P. D., and B. J. Hoskins, 1988: The generation of global rotational flow by steady idealized tropical divergence. J. Atmos. Sci., 45 , 1228–1251.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schwierz, C., S. Dirren, and H. C. Davies, 2004: Forced waves on a zonally aligned jet stream. J. Atmos. Sci., 61 , 73–87.

  • Shapiro, L. J., and K. V. Ooyama, 1990: Barotropic vortex evolution on a beta plane. J. Atmos. Sci., 47 , 170–187.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 200 81 7
PDF Downloads 114 51 4