Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Evolution of African Easterly Waves in Potential Vorticity Fields

Bryce Tyner Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

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Anantha Aiyyer Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

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Print Publication:
01 Nov 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-11-00170.1
Page(s):
3634–3652
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Abstract

The evolution of African easterly waves (AEWs) leading to tropical cyclones (TCs) in the Atlantic during 2000–08 is examined from isentropic potential vorticity (PV) and Lagrangian streamline perspectives. Tropical cyclone formation is commonly preceded by axisymmetrization of PV, scale contraction of the wave, and formation of a closed circulation within the wave. In these cases, PV associated with the synoptic-scale wave is irreversibly deformed and subsumed within the developing vortex. Less commonly, filamentation of the PV leads to separation and independent propagation of the wave and the TC vortex. In an example presented here, the remnant wave with a closed circulation persisted for several days after separation from the TC. A second TC did not result, consistent with several past studies that show that a midtropospheric closed gyre is not sufficient for TC genesis. Sometimes, an AEW and a weak TC remain coupled for a few days, followed by the dissipation of the TC and the continued propagation of the wave. Merger of tropical and extratropical PV anomalies is also often observed and likely helps maintain some waves. The results of this study are broadly consistent with recent Lagrangian analyses of AEW evolution during TC genesis.

Corresponding author address: Bryce Tyner, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695. E-mail: bptyner@ncsu.edu

Abstract

The evolution of African easterly waves (AEWs) leading to tropical cyclones (TCs) in the Atlantic during 2000–08 is examined from isentropic potential vorticity (PV) and Lagrangian streamline perspectives. Tropical cyclone formation is commonly preceded by axisymmetrization of PV, scale contraction of the wave, and formation of a closed circulation within the wave. In these cases, PV associated with the synoptic-scale wave is irreversibly deformed and subsumed within the developing vortex. Less commonly, filamentation of the PV leads to separation and independent propagation of the wave and the TC vortex. In an example presented here, the remnant wave with a closed circulation persisted for several days after separation from the TC. A second TC did not result, consistent with several past studies that show that a midtropospheric closed gyre is not sufficient for TC genesis. Sometimes, an AEW and a weak TC remain coupled for a few days, followed by the dissipation of the TC and the continued propagation of the wave. Merger of tropical and extratropical PV anomalies is also often observed and likely helps maintain some waves. The results of this study are broadly consistent with recent Lagrangian analyses of AEW evolution during TC genesis.

Corresponding author address: Bryce Tyner, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695. E-mail: bptyner@ncsu.edu
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