Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Simple Diagnosis of Tropical Cyclone Structure via Pressure Gradients

John A. Knaff NOAA/NESDIS/Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Charles R. Sampson Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, California

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Patrick J. Fitzpatrick Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

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Yi Jin Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, California

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Christopher M. Hill Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

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Print Publication:
01 Dec 2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-11-00013.1
Page(s):
1020–1031
Restricted access

Abstract

In 1980 the Holland tropical cyclone (TC) wind profile model was introduced. This simple model was originally intended to estimate the wind profile based on limited surface pressure information alone. For this reason and its relative simplicity, the model has been used in many practical applications. In this paper the potential of a simplified version of the Holland B parameter, which is related to the shape of the tangential wind profile, is explored as a powerful diagnostic tool for monitoring TC structure. The implementation examined is based on the limited information (maximum wind, central pressure, radius and pressure of the outer closed isobar, radii of operationally important wind radii, etc.) that is typically available in operational models and routine analyses of TC structure. This “simplified Holland B” parameter is shown to be sensitive to TC intensity, TC size, and the rate of radial decay of the tangential winds, but relatively insensitive to the radius of maximum winds. A climatology of the simplified Holland B parameter based on historical best-track data is also developed and presented, providing the expected natural ranges of variability. The relative simplicity, predictable variability, and desirable properties of the simplified Holland B parameter make it ideal for a variety of applications. Examples of how the simplified Holland B parameter can be used for improving forecaster guidance, developing TC structure tools, diagnosing TC model output, and understanding and comparing the climatological variations of TC structure are presented.

Corresponding author address: John Knaff, NOAA/NESDIS/RAMMB, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1375, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1375. E-mail: john.knaff@noaa.gov

Abstract

In 1980 the Holland tropical cyclone (TC) wind profile model was introduced. This simple model was originally intended to estimate the wind profile based on limited surface pressure information alone. For this reason and its relative simplicity, the model has been used in many practical applications. In this paper the potential of a simplified version of the Holland B parameter, which is related to the shape of the tangential wind profile, is explored as a powerful diagnostic tool for monitoring TC structure. The implementation examined is based on the limited information (maximum wind, central pressure, radius and pressure of the outer closed isobar, radii of operationally important wind radii, etc.) that is typically available in operational models and routine analyses of TC structure. This “simplified Holland B” parameter is shown to be sensitive to TC intensity, TC size, and the rate of radial decay of the tangential winds, but relatively insensitive to the radius of maximum winds. A climatology of the simplified Holland B parameter based on historical best-track data is also developed and presented, providing the expected natural ranges of variability. The relative simplicity, predictable variability, and desirable properties of the simplified Holland B parameter make it ideal for a variety of applications. Examples of how the simplified Holland B parameter can be used for improving forecaster guidance, developing TC structure tools, diagnosing TC model output, and understanding and comparing the climatological variations of TC structure are presented.

Corresponding author address: John Knaff, NOAA/NESDIS/RAMMB, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1375, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1375. E-mail: john.knaff@noaa.gov
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