An Examination of the Pressure–Wind Relationship for Intense Tropical Cyclones

Chanh Q. Kieu Department of Meteorology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Search for other papers by Chanh Q. Kieu in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Hua Chen Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland

Search for other papers by Hua Chen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Da-Lin Zhang Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland

Search for other papers by Da-Lin Zhang in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

We are aware of a technical issue preventing figures and tables from showing in some newly published articles in the full-text HTML view.
While we are resolving the problem, please use the online PDF version of these articles to view figures and tables.

Abstract

In this study, the dynamical constraints underlining the pressure–wind relationship (PWR) for intense tropical cyclones (TCs) are examined with the particular focus on the physical connections between the maximum surface wind (VMAX) and the minimum sea level pressure (PMIN). Use of the Rankine vortex demonstrates that the frictional forcing in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) could explain a sizeable portion of the linear contributions of VMAX to pressure drops. This contribution becomes increasingly important for intense TCs with small eye sizes, in which the radial inflows in the PBL could no longer be neglected. Furthermore, the inclusion of the tangential wind tendency can make an additional contribution to the pressure drops when coupled with the surface friction.

An examination of the double-eyewall configuration reveals that the formation of an outer eyewall or well-organized spiral rainbands complicates the PWR. An analysis of a cloud-resolving simulation of Hurricane Wilma (2005) shows that the outer eyewall could result in the continuous deepening of PMIN even with a constant VMAX. The results presented here suggest that (i) the TC size should be coupled with VMAX rather than being treated as an independent predictor as in the current PWRs, (ii) the TC intensity change should be at least coupled linearly with the radius of VMAX, and (iii) the radial wind in the PBL is of equal importance to the linear contribution of VMAX and its impact should be included in the PWR.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Da-Lin Zhang, Dept. of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2425. Email: dalin@atmos.umd.edu

Abstract

In this study, the dynamical constraints underlining the pressure–wind relationship (PWR) for intense tropical cyclones (TCs) are examined with the particular focus on the physical connections between the maximum surface wind (VMAX) and the minimum sea level pressure (PMIN). Use of the Rankine vortex demonstrates that the frictional forcing in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) could explain a sizeable portion of the linear contributions of VMAX to pressure drops. This contribution becomes increasingly important for intense TCs with small eye sizes, in which the radial inflows in the PBL could no longer be neglected. Furthermore, the inclusion of the tangential wind tendency can make an additional contribution to the pressure drops when coupled with the surface friction.

An examination of the double-eyewall configuration reveals that the formation of an outer eyewall or well-organized spiral rainbands complicates the PWR. An analysis of a cloud-resolving simulation of Hurricane Wilma (2005) shows that the outer eyewall could result in the continuous deepening of PMIN even with a constant VMAX. The results presented here suggest that (i) the TC size should be coupled with VMAX rather than being treated as an independent predictor as in the current PWRs, (ii) the TC intensity change should be at least coupled linearly with the radius of VMAX, and (iii) the radial wind in the PBL is of equal importance to the linear contribution of VMAX and its impact should be included in the PWR.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Da-Lin Zhang, Dept. of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2425. Email: dalin@atmos.umd.edu

Save
  • Atkinson, G. D., and Holliday C. R. , 1977: Tropical cyclone minimum sea level pressure/maximum sustained wind relationship for the western North Pacific. Mon. Wea. Rev., 105 , 421427.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Black, M. L., and Willoughby H. E. , 1992: The concentric eyewall cycle of Hurricane Gilbert. Mon. Wea. Rev., 120 , 947957.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Blackwell, K. G., 2000: The evolution of Hurricane Danny (1997) at landfall: Doppler-observed eyewall replacement, vortex contraction/intensification, and low-level wind maxima. Mon. Wea. Rev., 128 , 40024016.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Brown, P. D., Franklin J. L. , and Landsea C. , 2006: A fresh look at tropical cyclone pressure-wind relationships using recent reconnaissance-based best track data (1998–2005). Preprints, 25th Conf. on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, Monterey, CA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 3B.5. [Available online at http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/107190.pdf].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cocks, S. B., and Gray W. M. , 2002: Variability of the outer wind profiles of western North Pacific typhoons: Classifications and techniques for analysis and forecasting. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130 , 19892005.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Courtney, J., and Knaff J. A. , 2009: Adapting the Knaff and Zehr wind pressure relationship for operational use in tropical cyclone warning centres. Aust. Meteor. Oceanogr. J., 58 , 167179.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Dvorak, V., 1975: Tropical cyclone intensity analysis and forecasting from satellite imagery. Mon. Wea. Rev., 103 , 420430.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Franklin, J. L., Black M. L. , and Valde K. , 2003: GPS dropwindsonde wind profiles in hurricanes and their operational implications. Wea. Forecasting, 18 , 3244.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hack, J. J., and Schubert W. H. , 1986: Nonlinear response of atmospheric vortices to heating by organized cumulus convection. J. Atmos. Sci., 43 , 15591573.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Harper, B. A., 2002: Tropical cyclone parameter estimation in the Australian region: Wind–pressure relationships and related issues for engineering planning and design—A discussion paper. Systems Engineering Australia Party Ltd. (SEA) for Woodside Energy Ltd., SEA Rep. J0106-PR003E, 83 pp.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Holland, G., 2008: A revised hurricane pressure–wind model. Mon. Wea. Rev., 136 , 34323445.

  • Holton, J. R., 1992: An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology. Academic Press, 535 pp.

  • Kieu, C. Q., and Zhang D-L. , 2009: An analytical model for the rapid intensification of tropical cyclones. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 135 , 13361349.

  • Knaff, J. A., and Zehr R. M. , 2007: Reexamination of tropical cyclone wind–pressure relationships. Wea. Forecasting, 22 , 7188.

  • Knaff, J. A., and Zehr R. M. , 2008: Reply. Wea. Forecasting, 23 , 762770.

  • Knaff, J. A., Sampson C. R. , DeMaria M. , Marchok T. P. , Gross J. M. , and McAdie C. J. , 2007: Statistical tropical cyclone wind radii prediction using climatology and persistence. Wea. Forecasting, 22 , 781791.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Koba, H., Hagiwara T. , Asano S. , and Akashi S. , 1990: Relationships between CI number from Dvorak’s technique and minimum sea level pressure or maximum wind speed of tropical cyclone. J. Meteor. Res., 42 , 5967.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kossin, J. P., and Velden C. S. , 2004: A pronounced bias in tropical cyclone minimum sea level pressure estimation based on the Dvorak technique. Mon. Wea. Rev., 132 , 165173.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kossin, J. P., and Sitkowski M. , 2009: An objective model for identifying secondary eyewall formation in hurricanes. Mon. Wea. Rev., 137 , 876892.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kruk, M. C., Knapp K. R. , Levinson D. H. , and Kossin J. P. , 2008: Data stewardship of global tropical cyclone best tracks. Preprints, 28th Conf. on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, Orlando, FL, Amer. Meteor. Soc., P2A.12. [Available online at http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/138396.pdf].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Landsea, C. W., and Coauthors, 2004: The Atlantic hurricane database reanalysis project: Documentation for 1851–1910 alterations and additions to the HURDAT database. Hurricanes and Typhoons: Past, Present, and Future, R. J. Murnane and K.-B. Liu, Eds., Columbia University Press, 177–221.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • McNoldy, B. D., 2004: Triple eyewall in Hurricane Juliette. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 85 , 16631666.

  • Pasch, R. J., Blake E. S. , Cobb H. D. , and Roberts D. P. , cited. 2009: Tropical cyclone report: Hurricane Wilma 15–25 October 2005. National Hurricane Center. [Available online at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL252005_Wilma.pdf].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Weber, H. C., 2007: On the pressure–wind relationship in tropical cyclones. Preprints, 27th Conf. on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, Monterey, CA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 14.A6. [Available online at http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/107849.pdf].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Webster, P. J., Holland G. J. , Curry J. A. , and Chang H-R. , 2005: Changes in tropical cyclone number, duration, and intensity in a warming environment. Science, 309 , 18441846.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Willoughby, H. E., 1998: Tropical cyclone eye thermodynamics. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126 , 30533067.

  • Willoughby, H. E., Clos J. A. , and Shoreibah M. G. , 1982: Concentric eyewalls, secondary wind maxima, and the evolution of the hurricane vortex. J. Atmos. Sci., 39 , 395411.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Willoughby, H. E., Masters J. , and Landsea C. , 1989: A record minimum sea level pressure observed in Hurricane Gilbert. Mon. Wea. Rev., 117 , 28242828.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Zhang, D-L., Liu Y. , and Yau M. K. , 1999: Surface winds at landfall of Hurricane Andrew (1992)—A reply. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127 , 17111721.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Zhang, D-L., Liu Y. , and Yau M. K. , 2001: A multiscale numerical study of Hurricane Andrew (1992). Part IV: Unbalanced flows. Mon. Wea. Rev., 129 , 92107.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Zhu, T., Zhang D-L. , and Weng F. , 2004: Numerical simulation of Hurricane Bonnie (1998). Part I: Eyewall evolution and intensity changes. Mon. Wea. Rev., 132 , 225241.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 1075 586 183
PDF Downloads 490 142 8