Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Warm Cores, Eyewall Slopes, and Intensities of Tropical Cyclones Simulated by a 7-km-Mesh Global Nonhydrostatic Model

Tomoki Ohno Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan

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Masaki Satoh Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Chiba, and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokohama, Japan

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Yohei Yamada Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokohama, Japan

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Print Publication:
01 Nov 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-15-0318.1
Page(s):
4289–4309
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Abstract

Based on the data of a 1-yr simulation by a global nonhydrostatic model with 7-km horizontal grid spacing, the relationships among warm-core structures, eyewall slopes, and the intensities of tropical cyclones (TCs) were investigated. The results showed that stronger TCs generally have warm-core maxima at higher levels as their intensities increase. It was also found that the height of a warm-core maximum ascends (descends) as the TC intensifies (decays). To clarify how the height and amplitude of warm-core maxima are related to TC intensity, the vortex structures of TCs were investigated. By gradually introducing simplifications of the thermal wind balance, it was established that warm-core structures can be reconstructed using only the tangential wind field within the inner-core region and the ambient temperature profile. A relationship between TC intensity and eyewall slope was investigated by introducing a parameter that characterizes the shape of eyewalls and can be evaluated from satellite measurements. The authors found that the eyewall slope becomes steeper (shallower) as the TC intensity increases (decreases). Based on a balanced model, the authors proposed a relationship between TC intensity and eyewall slope. The result of the proposed model is consistent with that of the analysis using the simulation data. Furthermore, for sufficiently strong TCs, the authors found that the height of the warm-core maximum increases as the slope becomes steeper, which is consistent with previous observational studies. These results suggest that eyewall slopes can be used to diagnose the intensities and structures of TCs.

Denotes Open Access content.

Corresponding author address: Tomoki Ohno, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. E-mail: t-ohno@aori.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Abstract

Based on the data of a 1-yr simulation by a global nonhydrostatic model with 7-km horizontal grid spacing, the relationships among warm-core structures, eyewall slopes, and the intensities of tropical cyclones (TCs) were investigated. The results showed that stronger TCs generally have warm-core maxima at higher levels as their intensities increase. It was also found that the height of a warm-core maximum ascends (descends) as the TC intensifies (decays). To clarify how the height and amplitude of warm-core maxima are related to TC intensity, the vortex structures of TCs were investigated. By gradually introducing simplifications of the thermal wind balance, it was established that warm-core structures can be reconstructed using only the tangential wind field within the inner-core region and the ambient temperature profile. A relationship between TC intensity and eyewall slope was investigated by introducing a parameter that characterizes the shape of eyewalls and can be evaluated from satellite measurements. The authors found that the eyewall slope becomes steeper (shallower) as the TC intensity increases (decreases). Based on a balanced model, the authors proposed a relationship between TC intensity and eyewall slope. The result of the proposed model is consistent with that of the analysis using the simulation data. Furthermore, for sufficiently strong TCs, the authors found that the height of the warm-core maximum increases as the slope becomes steeper, which is consistent with previous observational studies. These results suggest that eyewall slopes can be used to diagnose the intensities and structures of TCs.

Denotes Open Access content.

Corresponding author address: Tomoki Ohno, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. E-mail: t-ohno@aori.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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