Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

The Dynamic Response of the Hurricane Wind Field to Spiral Rainband Heating

Yumin Moon Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

Search for other papers by Yumin Moon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
David S. Nolan Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

Search for other papers by David S. Nolan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Jun 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2010JAS3171.1
Page(s):
1779–1805
Restricted access

Abstract

The response of the hurricane wind field to spiral rainband heating is examined by using a three-dimensional, nonhydrostatic, linear model of the vortex–anelastic equations. Diabatic heat sources, which are designed in accordance with previous observations of spiral rainbands, are made to rotate with the flow around the hurricane-like wind field of a balanced, axisymmetric vortex. Common kinematic features are recovered, such as the overturning secondary circulation, descending midlevel radial inflow, and cyclonically accelerated tangential flow on the radially outward side of spiral rainbands. Comparison of the responses to the purely convective and stratiform rainbands indicates that the overturning secondary circulation is mostly due to the convective part of the rainband and is stronger in the upwind region, while midlevel radial inflow descending to the surface is due to the stratiform characteristics of the rainband and is stronger in the downwind region. The secondary horizontal wind maximum is exhibited in both convective and stratiform parts of the rainband, but it tends to be stronger in the downwind region. The results indicate that the primary effects of rainbands on the hurricane wind field are caused by the direct response to diabatic heating in convection embedded in them and that the structure of the diabatic heating is primarily responsible for their unique kinematic structures. Sensitivity tests confirm the robustness of the results. In addition, the response of the hurricane wind field to the rainband heating is, in the linear limit, the sum of the asymmetric potential vorticity and symmetric transverse circulations.

Corresponding author address: Yumin Moon, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149. Email: ymoon@rsmas.miami.edu

Abstract

The response of the hurricane wind field to spiral rainband heating is examined by using a three-dimensional, nonhydrostatic, linear model of the vortex–anelastic equations. Diabatic heat sources, which are designed in accordance with previous observations of spiral rainbands, are made to rotate with the flow around the hurricane-like wind field of a balanced, axisymmetric vortex. Common kinematic features are recovered, such as the overturning secondary circulation, descending midlevel radial inflow, and cyclonically accelerated tangential flow on the radially outward side of spiral rainbands. Comparison of the responses to the purely convective and stratiform rainbands indicates that the overturning secondary circulation is mostly due to the convective part of the rainband and is stronger in the upwind region, while midlevel radial inflow descending to the surface is due to the stratiform characteristics of the rainband and is stronger in the downwind region. The secondary horizontal wind maximum is exhibited in both convective and stratiform parts of the rainband, but it tends to be stronger in the downwind region. The results indicate that the primary effects of rainbands on the hurricane wind field are caused by the direct response to diabatic heating in convection embedded in them and that the structure of the diabatic heating is primarily responsible for their unique kinematic structures. Sensitivity tests confirm the robustness of the results. In addition, the response of the hurricane wind field to the rainband heating is, in the linear limit, the sum of the asymmetric potential vorticity and symmetric transverse circulations.

Corresponding author address: Yumin Moon, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149. Email: ymoon@rsmas.miami.edu

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

  • Anthes, R. A., 1982: Tropical Cyclones: Their Evolution, Structure and Effects. Meteor. Monogr., No. 41, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 208 pp.

  • Atlas, D., K. R. Hardy, R. Wexler, and R. J. Boucher, 1963: On the origin of hurricane spiral bands. Geofis. Int., 3 , 123–132.

  • Barnes, G. M., and M. D. Powell, 1995: Evolution of the inflow boundary layer of Hurricane Gilbert (1988). Mon. Wea. Rev., 123 , 2348–2368.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Barnes, G. M., E. J. Zipser, D. Jorgensen, and F. Marks Jr., 1983: Mesoscale and convective structure of a hurricane rainband. J. Atmos. Sci., 40 , 2125–2137.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Barnes, G. M., J. F. Gamache, M. A. LeMone, and G. J. Stossmeister, 1991: A convective cell in a hurricane rainband. Mon. Wea. Rev., 119 , 776–794.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bryan, G. H., and R. Rotunno, 2009: Evaluation of an analytical model for the maximum intensity of tropical cyclones. J. Atmos. Sci., 66 , 3042–3060.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Carr, L. E., and R. T. Williams, 1989: Barotropic vortex stability to perturbations from axisymmetry. J. Atmos. Sci., 46 , 3177–3191.

  • Cecil, D. J., E. J. Zipser, and S. W. Nesbitt, 2002: Reflectivity, ice scattering, and lightning characteristics of hurricane eyewalls and rainbands. Part I: Quantitative description. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130 , 769–784.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chen, Y., and M. K. Yau, 2001: Spiral bands in a simulated hurricane. Part I: Vortex Rossby wave verification. J. Atmos. Sci., 58 , 2128–2145.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cione, J. J., P. G. Black, and S. H. Houston, 2000: Surface observations in the hurricane environment. Mon. Wea. Rev., 128 , 1550–1561.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dvorak, V. F., 1975: Tropical cyclone intensity analysis and forecasting from satellite imagery. Mon. Wea. Rev., 103 , 420–430.

  • Eliassen, A., 1951: Slow thermally or frictionally controlled meridional circulation in a circular vortex. Astrophys. Norv., 5 , 19–60.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Emanuel, K. A., 1986: An air–sea interaction theory for tropical cyclones. Part I: Steady-state maintenance. J. Atmos. Sci., 43 , 585–605.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

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

  • Franklin, C. N., G. J. Holland, and P. T. May, 2006: Mechanisms for the generation of mesoscale vorticity features in tropical cyclone rainbands. Mon. Wea. Rev., 134 , 2649–2669.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gall, R., J. Tuttle, and P. Hildebrand, 1998: Small-scale spiral bands observed in hurricanes Andrew, Hugo, and Erin. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126 , 1749–1766.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Guinn, T. A., and W. H. Schubert, 1993: Hurricane spiral bands. J. Atmos. Sci., 50 , 3380–3403.

  • Hack, J. J., and W. H. Schubert, 1986: Nonlinear response of atmospheric vortices to heating by organized cumulus convection. J. Atmos. Sci., 43 , 1559–1573.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hence, D. A., and R. A. Houze Jr., 2008: Kinematic structure of convective-scale elements in the rainbands of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (2005). J. Geophys. Res., 113 , D15108. doi:10.1029/2007JD009429.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hodyss, D., and D. S. Nolan, 2007: Anelastic equations for atmospheric vortices. J. Atmos. Sci., 64 , 2947–2959.

  • Houze Jr., R. A., and Coauthors, 2006: The Hurricane Rainband and Intensity Change Experiment. Observations and modeling of Hurricanes Katrina, Ophelia, and Rita. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 87 , 1503–1521.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jordan, C. L., 1958: Mean soundings for the West Indies area. J. Meteor., 15 , 91–97.

  • Jorgensen, D. P., 1984: Mesoscale and convective-scale characteristics of mature hurricanes. Part I: General observations by research aircraft. J. Atmos. Sci., 41 , 1268–1285.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kim, D-K., K. R. Knupp, and C. R. Williams, 2009: Airflow and precipitation properties within the stratiform region of Tropical Storm Gabrielle during landfall. Mon. Wea. Rev., 137 , 1954–1971.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kimball, S., 2006: A modeling study of hurricane landfall in a dry environment. Mon. Wea. Rev., 134 , 1901–1918.

  • Kuo, H-C., L-Y. Lin, C-P. Chang, and R. T. Williams, 2004: The formation of concentric vorticity structures in typhoons. J. Atmos. Sci., 61 , 2722–2734.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kusunoki, K., and W. Mashiko, 2006: Doppler radar investigations of the inner core of Typhoon Songda (2004): Polygonal/elliptical eyewalls, eye contraction, and small-scale spiral bands. Extended Abstracts, 27th Conf. on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, Monterey, CA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., P4.10. [Available online at http://ams.confex.com/ams/27Hurricanes/techprogram/paper_107480.htm].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mallen, K. J., M. T. Montgomery, and B. Wang, 2005: Reexamining the near-core radial structure of the tropical cyclone primary circulation: Implications for vortex resiliency. J. Atmos. Sci., 62 , 408–425.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • May, P. T., 1996: The organization of convection in the rainbands of Tropical Cyclone Laurence. Mon. Wea. Rev., 124 , 807–815.

  • May, P. T., and G. J. Holland, 1999: The role of potential vorticity generation in tropical cyclone rainbands. J. Atmos. Sci., 56 , 1224–1228.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • May, P. T., G. J. Holland, and W. L. Ecklund, 1994: Wind profiler observations of Tropical Storm Flo at Saipan. Wea. Forecasting, 9 , 410–426.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Molinari, J., P. Moore, and V. Idone, 1999: Convective structure of hurricanes as revealed by lightning locations. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127 , 520–534.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Montgomery, M. T., and R. J. Kallenbach, 1997: A theory for vortex Rossby-waves and its application to spiral bands and intensity changes in hurricanes. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 123 , 435–465.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nolan, D. S., and B. F. Farrell, 1999: The intensification of two-dimensional swirling flows by stochastic asymmetric forcing. J. Atmos. Sci., 56 , 3937–3962.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nolan, D. S., and M. T. Montgomery, 2002a: Nonhydrostatic, three-dimensional perturbations to hurricane-like vortices. Part I: Linearized formulation, stability, and evolution. J. Atmos. Sci., 59 , 2989–3020.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nolan, D. S., and M. T. Montgomery, 2002b: Three-dimensional stability analyses of tornado-like vortices with secondary circulations. Preprints, 21st Conf. on Severe Local Storms, San Antonio, TX, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 477–480.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nolan, D. S., and L. D. Grasso, 2003: Nonhydrostatic, three-dimensional perturbations to hurricane-like vortices. Part II: Symmetric response and nonlinear simulations. J. Atmos. Sci., 60 , 2717–2745.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nolan, D. S., M. T. Montgomery, and L. D. Grasso, 2001: The wavenumber-one instability and trochoidal motion of hurricane-like vortices. J. Atmos. Sci., 58 , 3243–3270.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nolan, D. S., Y. Moon, and D. P. Stern, 2007: Tropical cyclone intensification from asymmetric convection: Energetics and efficiency. J. Atmos. Sci., 64 , 3377–3405.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Pandya, R. E., and D. R. Durran, 1996: The influence of convectively generated thermal forcing on the mesoscale circulation around squall lines. J. Atmos. Sci., 53 , 2924–2951.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Pandya, R. E., D. R. Durran, and M. L. Weisman, 2000: The influence of convective thermal forcing on the three-dimensional circulation around squall lines. J. Atmos. Sci., 57 , 29–45.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Powell, M. D., 1990: Boundary layer structure and dynamics in outer hurricane rainbands. Part I: Mesoscale rainfall and kinematic structure. Mon. Wea. Rev., 118 , 891–917.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rozoff, C. M., W. H. Schubert, B. D. McNoldy, and J. P. Kossin, 2006: Rapid filamentation zones in intense tropical cyclones. J. Atmos. Sci., 63 , 325–340.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ryan, B. F., G. M. Barnes, and E. J. Zipser, 1992: A wide rainband in a developing tropical cyclone. Mon. Wea. Rev., 120 , 431–447.

  • Samsury, C. E., and E. J. Zipser, 1995: Secondary wind maxima in hurricanes: Airflow and relationship to rainbands. Mon. Wea. Rev., 123 , 3502–3517.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Senn, H. V., and H. W. Hiser, 1959: On the origin of hurricane spiral rain bands. J. Meteor., 16 , 419–426.

  • Shapiro, L. J., and H. E. Willoughby, 1982: The response of balanced hurricanes to local sources of heat and momentum. J. Atmos. Sci., 39 , 378–394.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Shea, D. J., and W. M. Gray, 1973: The hurricane’s inner core region. I. Symmetric and asymmetric structure. J. Atmos. Sci., 30 , 1544–1564.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stern, D. P., and D. S. Nolan, 2009: Reexamining the vertical structure of tangential winds in tropical cyclones: Observations and theory. J. Atmos. Sci., 66 , 3579–3600.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wang, Y., 2008: Rapid filamentation zone in a numerically simulated tropical cyclone. J. Atmos. Sci., 65 , 1158–1181.

  • Wang, Y., 2009: How do outer spiral rainbands affect tropical cyclone structure and intensity? J. Atmos. Sci., 66 , 1250–1273.

  • Wexler, H., 1947: Structure of hurricanes as determined by radar. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., 48 , 821–844.

  • Willoughby, H. E., 1990: Gradient balance in tropical cyclones. J. Atmos. Sci., 47 , 265–274.

  • Willoughby, H. E., F. D. Marks Jr., and R. J. Feinberg, 1984: Stationary and moving convective bands in hurricanes. J. Atmos. Sci., 41 , 3189–3211.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Willoughby, H. E., R. W. R. Darling, and M. E. Rahn, 2006: Parametric representation of the primary hurricane vortex. Part II: A new family of sectionally continuous profiles. J. Atmos. Sci., 134 , 1102–1120.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 329 128 8
PDF Downloads 272 103 8