Cover Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences

  • Bender, M. A., , R. E. Tuleya, , and Y. Kurihara, 1987: A numerical study of the effect of island terrain on tropical cyclones. Mon. Wea. Rev., 115, 130–155, doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1987)115<0130:ANSOTE>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Brand, S., , and J. W. Blelloch, 1974: Changes in the characteristics of typhoons crossing the island of Taiwan. Mon. Wea. Rev., 102, 708–713, doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1974)102<0708:CITCOT>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chan, 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, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1987)044<1257:AANSOT>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chang, S. W.-J., 1982: The orographic effects induced by an island mountain range on propagating tropical cyclones. Mon. Wea. Rev., 110, 1255–1270, doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1982)110<1255:TOEIBA>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Emanuel, K. A., 1988: Toward a general theory of hurricanes. Amer. Sci., 76, 370–379.

  • Hong, S.-Y., , and J.-O. J. Lim, 2006: The WRF single-moment 6-class microphysics scheme (WSM6). J. Korean Meteor. Soc., 42, 129–151.

  • Hong, S.-Y., , Y. Noh, , and J. Dudhia, 2006: A new vertical diffusion package with an explicit treatment of entrainment processes. Mon. Wea. Rev., 134, 2318–2341, doi:10.1175/MWR3199.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hsu, L.-H., , H.-C. Kuo, , and R. G. Fovell, 2013: On the geographic asymmetry of typhoon translation speed across the mountainous island of Taiwan. J. Atmos. Sci., 70, 1006–1022, doi:10.1175/JAS-D-12-0173.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Huang, C.-Y., , and Y.-L. Lin, 2008: The influence of mesoscale mountains on vortex tracks: Shallow-water modeling study. Meteor. Atmos. Phys., 101, 1–20, doi:10.1007/s00703-007-0284-1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Huang, Y.-H., , C.-C. Wu, , and Y. Wang, 2011: The influence of island topography on typhoon track deflection. Mon. Wea. Rev., 139, 1708–1727, doi:10.1175/2011MWR3560.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jian, G.-J., , and C.-C. Wu, 2008: A numerical study of the track deflection of Supertyphoon Haitang (2005) prior to its landfall in Taiwan. Mon. Wea. Rev., 136, 598–615, doi:10.1175/2007MWR2134.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jordan, C. L., 1958: Mean soundings for the West Indies area. J. Atmos. Sci., 15, 91–97, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1958)015<0091:MSFTWI>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kuo, H.-C., , R. T. Williams, , J.-H. Chen, , and Y.-L. Chen, 2001: Topographic effects on barotropic vortex motion: No mean flow. J. Atmos. Sci., 58, 1310–1327, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(2001)058<1310:TEOBVM>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lin, Y.-L., , and L. C. Savage, 2011: Effects of landfall location and the approach angle of a cyclone vortex encountering a mesoscale mountain range. J. Atmos. Sci., 68, 2095–2106, doi:10.1175/2011JAS3720.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lin, Y.-L., , J. Han, , D. W. Hamilton, , and C.-Y. Huang, 1999: Orographic influence on a drifting cyclone. J. Atmos. Sci., 56, 534–562, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1999)056<0534:OIOADC>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lin, Y.-L., , S.-Y. Chen, , C. M. Hill, , and C.-Y. Huang, 2005: Control parameters for the influence of a mesoscale mountain range on cyclone track continuity and deflection. J. Atmos. Sci., 62, 1849–1866, doi:10.1175/JAS3439.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nolan, D. S., 2011: Evaluating environmental favorableness for tropical cyclone development with the method of point-downscaling. J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst., 3, M08001, doi:10.1029/2011MS000063.

    • 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, doi:10.1175/JAS3988.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Skamarock, W. C., and et al. , 2008: A description of the Advanced Research WRF version 3. NCAR Tech. Note NCAR/TN-475+STR, 113 pp., doi:10.5065/D68S4MVH.

  • Smith, R. B., 1993: A hurricane beta-drift law. J. Atmos. Sci., 50, 3213–3215, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1993)050<3213:AHBDL>2.0.CO;2.

  • Stern, D. P., , and D. S. Nolan, 2011: On the vertical decay rate of the maximum tangential winds in tropical cyclones. J. Atmos. Sci., 68, 2073–2094, doi:10.1175/2011JAS3682.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Tiedtke, M., 1989: A comprehensive mass flux scheme for cumulus parameterization in large-scale models. Mon. Wea. Rev., 117, 1779–1800, doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1989)117<1779:ACMFSF>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wang, S.-T., 1980: Prediction of the movement and strength of typhoons in Taiwan and its vicinity. National Science Council Research Rep. 108, 100 pp.

  • Wu, C.-C., , T.-H. Li, , and Y.-H. Huang, 2015: Influence of mesoscale topography on tropical cyclone tracks: Further examination of the channeling effect. J. Atmos. Sci., 72, 3032–3050, doi:10.1175/JAS-D-14-0168.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yeh, T.-C., , and R. L. Elsberry, 1993a: Interaction of typhoons with the Taiwan topography. Part I: Upstream track deflections. Mon. Wea. Rev., 121, 3193–3212, doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1993)121<3193:IOTWTT>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yeh, T.-C., , and R. L. Elsberry, 1993b: Interaction of typhoons with the Taiwan topography. Part II: Continuous and discontinuous tracks across the island. Mon. Wea. Rev., 121, 3213–3233, doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1993)121<3213:IOTWTT>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Zehnder, J. A., 1993: The influence of large-scale topography on barotropic vortex motion. J. Atmos. Sci., 50, 2519–2532, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1993)050<2519:TIOLST>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Zehnder, J. A., , and M. J. Reeder, 1997: A numerical study of barotropic vortex motion near a large-scale mountain range with application to the motion of tropical cyclones approaching the Sierra Madre. Meteor. Atmos. Phys., 64, 1–19, doi:10.1007/BF01044127.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 38 38 7
PDF Downloads 36 36 8
Editorial Type:
Article

On the Upstream Track Deflection of Tropical Cyclones Past a Mountain Range: Idealized Experiments

Ching-Yuang Huang1, Chien-An Chen1, Shu-Hua Chen2, and David S. Nolan3
View More View Less
  • 1 Department of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan
  • | 2 Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
  • | 3 Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
Print Publication:
01 Aug 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-15-0218.1
Page(s):
3157–3180
© Get Permissions
Restricted access

Abstract

Upstream track deflection of a propagating cyclonic vortex past an isolated mountain range is investigated by using idealized simulations with both boundary layer turbulent mixing and cloud effects. The westbound vortex past a shorter mountain range may experience an earlier northward deflection prior to landfall. The vortex then takes a sudden southward turn as it gets closer to the mountain range, in response to the effects of the stronger northerly wind over the mountain due to the effects of channeling flow. The vortex may deflect southward when approaching a longer mountain range and then rebound northward upstream of the mountain ridge. The southward deflection is primarily induced by the convergence (stretching) effect due to the combination of the speedy core at the southwestern flank of the vortex and a northerly jet between the vortex and the mountain. The vortex then rebounds northward to pass over the mountain as the speedy core rotates counterclockwise to the eastern flank of the vortex. The track deflection near the mountain is also affected as either of both physics is deactivated.

Sensitivity experiments show that for a given steering flow and mountain height, a linear relationship exists between the maximum upstream deflection distance and the nondimensional parameter Rmw/Ly, where Rmw is the vortex size (represented by the radius of the maximum wind) and Ly is the north–south length scale of the mountain. The southward deflection distance increases with smaller Rmw/Ly and higher mountains for both weaker and stronger steering flow. When the steering-flow intensity is doubled, the southward deflection is roughly reduced by 50%.

Denotes Open Access content.

Corresponding author address: Prof. Ching-Yuang Huang, Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, No. 300, Jhongda Rd., Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan. E-mail: hcy@atm.ncu.edu.tw

Abstract

Upstream track deflection of a propagating cyclonic vortex past an isolated mountain range is investigated by using idealized simulations with both boundary layer turbulent mixing and cloud effects. The westbound vortex past a shorter mountain range may experience an earlier northward deflection prior to landfall. The vortex then takes a sudden southward turn as it gets closer to the mountain range, in response to the effects of the stronger northerly wind over the mountain due to the effects of channeling flow. The vortex may deflect southward when approaching a longer mountain range and then rebound northward upstream of the mountain ridge. The southward deflection is primarily induced by the convergence (stretching) effect due to the combination of the speedy core at the southwestern flank of the vortex and a northerly jet between the vortex and the mountain. The vortex then rebounds northward to pass over the mountain as the speedy core rotates counterclockwise to the eastern flank of the vortex. The track deflection near the mountain is also affected as either of both physics is deactivated.

Sensitivity experiments show that for a given steering flow and mountain height, a linear relationship exists between the maximum upstream deflection distance and the nondimensional parameter Rmw/Ly, where Rmw is the vortex size (represented by the radius of the maximum wind) and Ly is the north–south length scale of the mountain. The southward deflection distance increases with smaller Rmw/Ly and higher mountains for both weaker and stronger steering flow. When the steering-flow intensity is doubled, the southward deflection is roughly reduced by 50%.

Denotes Open Access content.

Corresponding author address: Prof. Ching-Yuang Huang, Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, No. 300, Jhongda Rd., Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan. E-mail: hcy@atm.ncu.edu.tw
Save