Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Kinematic Structure of Mesovortices in the Eyewall of Hurricane Ike (2008) Derived from Ground-Based Dual-Doppler Analysis

Stephanie M. Wingo Severe Weather Institute and Radar and Lightning Laboratories, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama

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Kevin R. Knupp Severe Weather Institute and Radar and Lightning Laboratories, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama

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Print Publication:
01 Nov 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-16-0085.1
Page(s):
4245–4263
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Abstract

Previous work has shown that vorticity mixing in the tropical cyclone (TC) inner core can promote mesovortex (MV) formation and impact storm intensity. Observations of MVs have largely been serendipitous but are necessary to improve understanding of these features and their role in TC dynamics. This study presents nearly 10 h of ground-based dual-Doppler analysis of MVs in the eyewall of Hurricane Ike (2008) near and during landfall. Derived 3D winds, vertical vorticity, horizontal divergence, and perturbation pressures are analyzed. Results indicate persistent kinematic field arrangements and evolving vertical structures. Perturbation pressure retrievals suggest local pressure minima associated with the MVs. Preferential updraft locations appear to transition cyclonically about the local vorticity maximum as the MVs progress around the eye. Based on published observational datasets, the dual-Doppler updraft magnitudes in Ike’s MVs are within the top 5%–10% of TC vertical velocities. The MVs are marked by peak vorticity in the lowest 2 km and contain vertically coherent vorticity structures extending to 8 km AGL. After prolonged land interaction, the MV structures deteriorate. First, the vertical extent of localized vorticity diminishes, followed by a deterioration in the prelandfall characteristic kinematic arrangements. This supports the notion that the replenishment of a high vorticity annulus contributes to MV production and maintenance, and when the elevated vorticity aloft is not maintained, MV kinematic patterns become less consistent. It is unclear whether the decay of the vertically coherent vorticity structures occurs in response to land interaction, TC inner core processes, or some combination of both.

Supplemental information related to this paper is available at the Journals Online website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-16-0085.s1.

Current affiliation: Science Systems and Applications, Inc., NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia.

Corresponding author address: Stephanie M. Wingo, Science Systems and Applications, Inc., NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Code 612, Building N-159, Room E-213, Wallops Island, VA 23337. E-mail: stephanie.m.wingo@nasa.gov

Abstract

Previous work has shown that vorticity mixing in the tropical cyclone (TC) inner core can promote mesovortex (MV) formation and impact storm intensity. Observations of MVs have largely been serendipitous but are necessary to improve understanding of these features and their role in TC dynamics. This study presents nearly 10 h of ground-based dual-Doppler analysis of MVs in the eyewall of Hurricane Ike (2008) near and during landfall. Derived 3D winds, vertical vorticity, horizontal divergence, and perturbation pressures are analyzed. Results indicate persistent kinematic field arrangements and evolving vertical structures. Perturbation pressure retrievals suggest local pressure minima associated with the MVs. Preferential updraft locations appear to transition cyclonically about the local vorticity maximum as the MVs progress around the eye. Based on published observational datasets, the dual-Doppler updraft magnitudes in Ike’s MVs are within the top 5%–10% of TC vertical velocities. The MVs are marked by peak vorticity in the lowest 2 km and contain vertically coherent vorticity structures extending to 8 km AGL. After prolonged land interaction, the MV structures deteriorate. First, the vertical extent of localized vorticity diminishes, followed by a deterioration in the prelandfall characteristic kinematic arrangements. This supports the notion that the replenishment of a high vorticity annulus contributes to MV production and maintenance, and when the elevated vorticity aloft is not maintained, MV kinematic patterns become less consistent. It is unclear whether the decay of the vertically coherent vorticity structures occurs in response to land interaction, TC inner core processes, or some combination of both.

Supplemental information related to this paper is available at the Journals Online website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-16-0085.s1.

Current affiliation: Science Systems and Applications, Inc., NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia.

Corresponding author address: Stephanie M. Wingo, Science Systems and Applications, Inc., NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Code 612, Building N-159, Room E-213, Wallops Island, VA 23337. E-mail: stephanie.m.wingo@nasa.gov

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