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Abstract
In this second part of a two-part study, details of the upper-ocean response within an idealized baroclinic current to a translating tropical cyclone are examined in a series of nonlinear, reduced-gravity numerical simulations. Based on observations obtained as part of a joint NOAA–National Science Foundation (NSF) experiment in Hurricane Lili (2002), the preexisting ocean mass and momentum fields are initialized with a Gulf of Mexico Loop Current–like jet, which is subsequently forced by a vortex whose wind stress field approximates that observed in the Lili experiments. Because of 1) favorable coupling between the wind stress and preexisting current vectors, and 2) wind-driven currents flowing across the large horizontal pressure gradient, wind energy transfer to the mixed layer can be more efficient in such a regime as compared to the case of an initially horizontally homogeneous ocean. However, nearly all energy is removed by advection and wave flux by two local inertial periods after storm passage, consistent with the observational results. Experiments are performed to quantify differences in one-dimensional and three-dimensional linearized approximations to the full model equations. In addition, sensitivity experiments to variations in the initial geostrophic current structure are performed to develop a parameter space over which a significant energy response could optimally be observed.
Abstract
In this second part of a two-part study, details of the upper-ocean response within an idealized baroclinic current to a translating tropical cyclone are examined in a series of nonlinear, reduced-gravity numerical simulations. Based on observations obtained as part of a joint NOAA–National Science Foundation (NSF) experiment in Hurricane Lili (2002), the preexisting ocean mass and momentum fields are initialized with a Gulf of Mexico Loop Current–like jet, which is subsequently forced by a vortex whose wind stress field approximates that observed in the Lili experiments. Because of 1) favorable coupling between the wind stress and preexisting current vectors, and 2) wind-driven currents flowing across the large horizontal pressure gradient, wind energy transfer to the mixed layer can be more efficient in such a regime as compared to the case of an initially horizontally homogeneous ocean. However, nearly all energy is removed by advection and wave flux by two local inertial periods after storm passage, consistent with the observational results. Experiments are performed to quantify differences in one-dimensional and three-dimensional linearized approximations to the full model equations. In addition, sensitivity experiments to variations in the initial geostrophic current structure are performed to develop a parameter space over which a significant energy response could optimally be observed.
Abstract
Surface wind speeds retrieved from airborne stepped frequency microwave radiometer (SFMR) brightness temperature measurements are important for estimating hurricane intensity. The SFMR performance is highly reliable at hurricane-force wind speeds, but accuracy is found to degrade at weaker wind speeds, particularly in heavy precipitation. Specifically, a significant overestimation of surface wind speeds is found in these conditions, suggesting inaccurate accounting for the impact of rain on the measured microwave brightness temperature. In this study, the wind speed bias is quantified over a broad range of operationally computed wind speeds and rain rates, based on a large sample of collocated SFMR wind retrievals and global positioning system dropwindsonde surface-adjusted wind speeds. The retrieval bias is addressed by developing a new SFMR C-band relationship between microwave absorption and rain rate (κ−R) from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration WP-3D aircraft tail Doppler radar reflectivity and in situ Droplet Measurement Technologies Precipitation Imaging Probe measurements to more accurately model precipitation impacts. Absorption is found to be a factor of 2 weaker than is estimated by the currently operational algorithm. With this new κ–R relationship, surface wind retrieval bias is significantly reduced in the presence of rain at wind speeds weaker than hurricane force. At wind speeds greater than hurricane force where little bias exists, no significant change is found. Furthermore, maximum rain rates computed using the revised algorithm are around 50% greater than operational measurements, which is more consistent with maximum reflectivity-estimated rain rates in hurricanes.
Abstract
Surface wind speeds retrieved from airborne stepped frequency microwave radiometer (SFMR) brightness temperature measurements are important for estimating hurricane intensity. The SFMR performance is highly reliable at hurricane-force wind speeds, but accuracy is found to degrade at weaker wind speeds, particularly in heavy precipitation. Specifically, a significant overestimation of surface wind speeds is found in these conditions, suggesting inaccurate accounting for the impact of rain on the measured microwave brightness temperature. In this study, the wind speed bias is quantified over a broad range of operationally computed wind speeds and rain rates, based on a large sample of collocated SFMR wind retrievals and global positioning system dropwindsonde surface-adjusted wind speeds. The retrieval bias is addressed by developing a new SFMR C-band relationship between microwave absorption and rain rate (κ−R) from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration WP-3D aircraft tail Doppler radar reflectivity and in situ Droplet Measurement Technologies Precipitation Imaging Probe measurements to more accurately model precipitation impacts. Absorption is found to be a factor of 2 weaker than is estimated by the currently operational algorithm. With this new κ–R relationship, surface wind retrieval bias is significantly reduced in the presence of rain at wind speeds weaker than hurricane force. At wind speeds greater than hurricane force where little bias exists, no significant change is found. Furthermore, maximum rain rates computed using the revised algorithm are around 50% greater than operational measurements, which is more consistent with maximum reflectivity-estimated rain rates in hurricanes.
Abstract
The maximum surface wind speed is an important parameter for tropical cyclone operational analysis and forecasting, since it defines the intensity of a cyclone. Operational forecast centers typically refer the wind speed to a maximum 1- or 10-min averaged value. Aircraft reconnaissance provides measurements of surface winds; however, because of the large variation of winds in the eyewall, it remains unclear to what extent observing the maximum wind is limited by the sampling pattern. Estimating storm intensity as simply the maximum of the observed winds is generally assumed by forecasters to underestimate the true storm intensity. The work presented herein attempts to quantify this difference by applying a methodology borrowed from the observing system simulation experiment concept, in which simulated “observations” are drawn from a numerical model. These “observations” may then be compared to the actual peak wind speed of the simulation. By sampling a high-resolution numerical simulation of Hurricane Isabel (2003) with a virtual aircraft equipped with a stepped-frequency microwave radiometer flying a standard “figure-four” pattern, the authors find that the highest wind observed over a flight typically underestimates the 1-min averaged model wind speed by 8.5% ± 1.5%. In contrast, due to its corresponding larger spatial scale, the 10-min averaged maximum wind speed is far less underestimated (1.5% ± 1.7%) using the same sampling method. These results support the National Hurricane Center’s practice, which typically assumes that the peak 1-min wind is somewhat greater than the highest observed wind speed over a single reconnaissance aircraft mission.
Abstract
The maximum surface wind speed is an important parameter for tropical cyclone operational analysis and forecasting, since it defines the intensity of a cyclone. Operational forecast centers typically refer the wind speed to a maximum 1- or 10-min averaged value. Aircraft reconnaissance provides measurements of surface winds; however, because of the large variation of winds in the eyewall, it remains unclear to what extent observing the maximum wind is limited by the sampling pattern. Estimating storm intensity as simply the maximum of the observed winds is generally assumed by forecasters to underestimate the true storm intensity. The work presented herein attempts to quantify this difference by applying a methodology borrowed from the observing system simulation experiment concept, in which simulated “observations” are drawn from a numerical model. These “observations” may then be compared to the actual peak wind speed of the simulation. By sampling a high-resolution numerical simulation of Hurricane Isabel (2003) with a virtual aircraft equipped with a stepped-frequency microwave radiometer flying a standard “figure-four” pattern, the authors find that the highest wind observed over a flight typically underestimates the 1-min averaged model wind speed by 8.5% ± 1.5%. In contrast, due to its corresponding larger spatial scale, the 10-min averaged maximum wind speed is far less underestimated (1.5% ± 1.7%) using the same sampling method. These results support the National Hurricane Center’s practice, which typically assumes that the peak 1-min wind is somewhat greater than the highest observed wind speed over a single reconnaissance aircraft mission.
Abstract
Recent hurricane activity over the Gulf of Mexico basin has underscored the importance of the Loop Current (LC) and its deep, warm thermal structure on hurricane intensity. During Hurricanes Isidore and Lili in 2002, research flights were conducted from both National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) WP-3D aircraft to observe pre-, in- and poststorm ocean conditions using airborne expendable ocean profilers to measure temperature, salinity, and current structure. Atmospheric thermodynamic and wind profiles and remotely sensed surface winds were concurrently acquired as each storm moved over the LC.
Observed upper-ocean cooling was about 1°C as Isidore moved across the Yucatan Straits at a speed of 4 m s−1. Given prestorm ocean heat content (OHC) levels exceeding 100 kJ cm−2 in the LC (current velocities >1 m s−1), significant cooling and deepening of the ocean mixed layer (OML) did not occur in the straits. Estimated surface enthalpy flux at Isidore’s eyewall was 1.8 kW m−2, where the maximum observed wind was 49 m s−1. Spatially integrating these surface enthalpy fluxes suggested a maximum surface heat loss of 9.5 kJ cm−2 at the eyewall. Over the Yucatan Shelf, observed ocean cooling of 4.5°C was caused by upwelling processes induced by wind stress and an offshore wind-driven transport. During Hurricane Lili, ocean cooling in the LC was ∼1°C but more than 2°C in the Gulf Common Water, where the maximum estimated surface enthalpy flux was 1.4 kW m−2, associated with peak surface winds of 51 m s−1. Because of Lili’s asymmetric structure and rapid translational speed of 7 m s−1, the maximum surface heat loss resulting from the surface enthalpy flux was less than 5 kJ cm−2.
In both hurricanes, the weak ocean thermal response in the LC was primarily due to the lack of energetic near-inertial current shears that develop across the thin OML observed in quiescent regimes. Bulk Richardson numbers remained well above criticality because of the strength of the upper-ocean horizontal pressure gradient that forces northward current and thermal advection of warm water distributed over deep layers. As these oceanic regimes are resistive to shear-induced mixing, hurricanes experience a more sustained surface enthalpy flux compared to storms moving over shallow quiescent mixed layers. Because ocean cooling levels induced by hurricane force winds depend on the underlying oceanic regimes, features must be accurately initialized in coupled forecast models.
Abstract
Recent hurricane activity over the Gulf of Mexico basin has underscored the importance of the Loop Current (LC) and its deep, warm thermal structure on hurricane intensity. During Hurricanes Isidore and Lili in 2002, research flights were conducted from both National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) WP-3D aircraft to observe pre-, in- and poststorm ocean conditions using airborne expendable ocean profilers to measure temperature, salinity, and current structure. Atmospheric thermodynamic and wind profiles and remotely sensed surface winds were concurrently acquired as each storm moved over the LC.
Observed upper-ocean cooling was about 1°C as Isidore moved across the Yucatan Straits at a speed of 4 m s−1. Given prestorm ocean heat content (OHC) levels exceeding 100 kJ cm−2 in the LC (current velocities >1 m s−1), significant cooling and deepening of the ocean mixed layer (OML) did not occur in the straits. Estimated surface enthalpy flux at Isidore’s eyewall was 1.8 kW m−2, where the maximum observed wind was 49 m s−1. Spatially integrating these surface enthalpy fluxes suggested a maximum surface heat loss of 9.5 kJ cm−2 at the eyewall. Over the Yucatan Shelf, observed ocean cooling of 4.5°C was caused by upwelling processes induced by wind stress and an offshore wind-driven transport. During Hurricane Lili, ocean cooling in the LC was ∼1°C but more than 2°C in the Gulf Common Water, where the maximum estimated surface enthalpy flux was 1.4 kW m−2, associated with peak surface winds of 51 m s−1. Because of Lili’s asymmetric structure and rapid translational speed of 7 m s−1, the maximum surface heat loss resulting from the surface enthalpy flux was less than 5 kJ cm−2.
In both hurricanes, the weak ocean thermal response in the LC was primarily due to the lack of energetic near-inertial current shears that develop across the thin OML observed in quiescent regimes. Bulk Richardson numbers remained well above criticality because of the strength of the upper-ocean horizontal pressure gradient that forces northward current and thermal advection of warm water distributed over deep layers. As these oceanic regimes are resistive to shear-induced mixing, hurricanes experience a more sustained surface enthalpy flux compared to storms moving over shallow quiescent mixed layers. Because ocean cooling levels induced by hurricane force winds depend on the underlying oceanic regimes, features must be accurately initialized in coupled forecast models.
Abstract
The ocean mixed layer response to a tropical cyclone within and immediately adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current is examined. In the first of a two-part study, a comprehensive set of temperature, salinity, and current profiles acquired from aircraft-deployed expendable probes is utilized to analyze the three-dimensional oceanic energy evolution in response to Hurricane Lili’s (2002) passage. Mixed layer temperature analyses show that the Loop Current cooled <1°C in response to the storm, in contrast to typically observed larger decreases of 3°–5°C. Correspondingly, vertical current shear associated with mixed layer currents, which is responsible for entrainment mixing of cooler water, was found to be up to 50% weaker, on average, than observed in previous studies within the directly forced region. The Loop Current, which separates the warmer, lighter Caribbean Subtropical Water from the cooler, heavier Gulf Common Water, was found to decrease in intensity by −0.18 ± 0.25 m s−1 over an approximately 10-day period within the mixed layer. Contrary to previous ocean response studies, which have assumed approximately horizontally homogeneous ocean structure prior to storm passage, a kinetic energy loss of 5.8 ± 6.4 kJ m−2, or approximately −1 wind stress-scaled energy unit, was observed. By examining near-surface currents derived from satellite altimetry data, the Loop Current is found to vary similarly in magnitude over such time scales, suggesting storm-generated energy is rapidly removed by the preexisting Loop Current. In a future study, the simulated mixed layer evolution to a Hurricane Lili–like storm within an idealized preexisting baroclinic current is analyzed to help understand the complex air–sea interaction and resulting energetic response.
Abstract
The ocean mixed layer response to a tropical cyclone within and immediately adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current is examined. In the first of a two-part study, a comprehensive set of temperature, salinity, and current profiles acquired from aircraft-deployed expendable probes is utilized to analyze the three-dimensional oceanic energy evolution in response to Hurricane Lili’s (2002) passage. Mixed layer temperature analyses show that the Loop Current cooled <1°C in response to the storm, in contrast to typically observed larger decreases of 3°–5°C. Correspondingly, vertical current shear associated with mixed layer currents, which is responsible for entrainment mixing of cooler water, was found to be up to 50% weaker, on average, than observed in previous studies within the directly forced region. The Loop Current, which separates the warmer, lighter Caribbean Subtropical Water from the cooler, heavier Gulf Common Water, was found to decrease in intensity by −0.18 ± 0.25 m s−1 over an approximately 10-day period within the mixed layer. Contrary to previous ocean response studies, which have assumed approximately horizontally homogeneous ocean structure prior to storm passage, a kinetic energy loss of 5.8 ± 6.4 kJ m−2, or approximately −1 wind stress-scaled energy unit, was observed. By examining near-surface currents derived from satellite altimetry data, the Loop Current is found to vary similarly in magnitude over such time scales, suggesting storm-generated energy is rapidly removed by the preexisting Loop Current. In a future study, the simulated mixed layer evolution to a Hurricane Lili–like storm within an idealized preexisting baroclinic current is analyzed to help understand the complex air–sea interaction and resulting energetic response.
Abstract
Scientists at NOAA's Hurricane Research Division recently analyzed the inner-core upper-ocean environment for 23 Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean hurricanes between 1975 and 2002. The interstorm variability of sea surface temperature (SST) change between the hurricane inner-core environment and the ambient ocean environment ahead of the storm is documented using airborne expendable bathythermograph (AXBT) observations and buoy-derived archived SST data. The authors demonstrate that differences between inner-core and ambient SST are much less than poststorm, “cold wake” SST reductions typically observed (i.e., ∼0°–2°C versus 4°–5°C). These findings help define a realistic parameter space for storm-induced SST change within the important high-wind inner-core hurricane environment. Results from a recent observational study yielded estimates of upper-ocean heat content, upper-ocean energy extracted by the storm, and upper-ocean energy utilization for a wide range of tropical systems. Results from this analysis show that, under most circumstances, the energy available to the tropical cyclone is at least an order of magnitude greater than the energy extracted by the storm. This study also highlights the significant impact that changes in inner-core SST have on the magnitude of air–sea fluxes under high-wind conditions. Results from this study illustrate that relatively modest changes in inner-core SST (order 1°C) can effectively alter maximum total enthalpy (sensible plus latent heat) flux by 40% or more.
The magnitude of SST change (ambient minus inner core) was statistically linked to subsequent changes in storm intensity for the 23 hurricanes included in this research. These findings suggest a relationship between reduced inner-core SST cooling (i.e., increased inner-core surface enthalpy flux) and tropical cyclone intensification. Similar results were not found when changes in storm intensity were compared with ambient SST or upper-ocean heat content conditions ahead of the storm. Under certain circumstances, the variability associated with inner-core SST change appears to be an important factor directly linked to the intensity change process.
Abstract
Scientists at NOAA's Hurricane Research Division recently analyzed the inner-core upper-ocean environment for 23 Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean hurricanes between 1975 and 2002. The interstorm variability of sea surface temperature (SST) change between the hurricane inner-core environment and the ambient ocean environment ahead of the storm is documented using airborne expendable bathythermograph (AXBT) observations and buoy-derived archived SST data. The authors demonstrate that differences between inner-core and ambient SST are much less than poststorm, “cold wake” SST reductions typically observed (i.e., ∼0°–2°C versus 4°–5°C). These findings help define a realistic parameter space for storm-induced SST change within the important high-wind inner-core hurricane environment. Results from a recent observational study yielded estimates of upper-ocean heat content, upper-ocean energy extracted by the storm, and upper-ocean energy utilization for a wide range of tropical systems. Results from this analysis show that, under most circumstances, the energy available to the tropical cyclone is at least an order of magnitude greater than the energy extracted by the storm. This study also highlights the significant impact that changes in inner-core SST have on the magnitude of air–sea fluxes under high-wind conditions. Results from this study illustrate that relatively modest changes in inner-core SST (order 1°C) can effectively alter maximum total enthalpy (sensible plus latent heat) flux by 40% or more.
The magnitude of SST change (ambient minus inner core) was statistically linked to subsequent changes in storm intensity for the 23 hurricanes included in this research. These findings suggest a relationship between reduced inner-core SST cooling (i.e., increased inner-core surface enthalpy flux) and tropical cyclone intensification. Similar results were not found when changes in storm intensity were compared with ambient SST or upper-ocean heat content conditions ahead of the storm. Under certain circumstances, the variability associated with inner-core SST change appears to be an important factor directly linked to the intensity change process.
Abstract
Surface winds in hurricanes have been estimated remotely using the Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) from the NOAA WP-3D aircraft for the past 15 years. Since the use of the GPS dropwindsonde system in hurricanes was first initiated in 1997, routine collocated SFMR and GPS surface wind estimates have been made. During the 1998, 1999, and 2001 hurricane seasons, a total of 249 paired samples were acquired and compared. The SFMR equivalent 1-min mean, 10-m level neutral stability winds were found to be biased high by 2.3 m s−1 relative to the 10-m GPS winds computed from an estimate of the mean boundary layer wind. Across the range of wind speeds from 10 to 60 m s−1, the rmse was 3.3 m s−1. The bias was found to be dependent on storm quadrant and independent of wind speed, a result that suggests a possible relationship between microwave brightness temperatures and surface wave properties. Tests of retrieved winds' sensitivities to sea surface temperature, salinity, atmospheric thermodynamic variability, and surface wind direction indicate wind speed errors of less than 1 m s−1 above 15 m s−1.
Abstract
Surface winds in hurricanes have been estimated remotely using the Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) from the NOAA WP-3D aircraft for the past 15 years. Since the use of the GPS dropwindsonde system in hurricanes was first initiated in 1997, routine collocated SFMR and GPS surface wind estimates have been made. During the 1998, 1999, and 2001 hurricane seasons, a total of 249 paired samples were acquired and compared. The SFMR equivalent 1-min mean, 10-m level neutral stability winds were found to be biased high by 2.3 m s−1 relative to the 10-m GPS winds computed from an estimate of the mean boundary layer wind. Across the range of wind speeds from 10 to 60 m s−1, the rmse was 3.3 m s−1. The bias was found to be dependent on storm quadrant and independent of wind speed, a result that suggests a possible relationship between microwave brightness temperatures and surface wave properties. Tests of retrieved winds' sensitivities to sea surface temperature, salinity, atmospheric thermodynamic variability, and surface wind direction indicate wind speed errors of less than 1 m s−1 above 15 m s−1.
Abstract
This study presents an analysis of near-surface (10 m) inflow angles using wind vector data from over 1600 quality-controlled global positioning system dropwindsondes deployed by aircraft on 187 flights into 18 hurricanes. The mean inflow angle in hurricanes is found to be −22.6° ± 2.2° (95% confidence). Composite analysis results indicate little dependence of storm-relative axisymmetric inflow angle on local surface wind speed, and a weak but statistically significant dependence on the radial distance from the storm center. A small, but statistically significant dependence of the axisymmetric inflow angle on storm intensity is also found, especially well outside the eyewall. By compositing observations according to radial and azimuthal location relative to storm motion direction, significant inflow angle asymmetries are found to depend on storm motion speed, although a large amount of unexplained variability remains. Generally, the largest storm-relative inflow angles (<−50°) are found in the fastest-moving storms (>8 m s−1) at large radii (>8 times the radius of maximum wind) in the right-front storm quadrant, while the smallest inflow angles (>−10°) are found in the fastest-moving storms in the left-rear quadrant. Based on these observations, a parametric model of low-wavenumber inflow angle variability as a function of radius, azimuth, storm intensity, and motion speed is developed. This model can be applied for purposes of ocean surface remote sensing studies when wind direction is either unknown or ambiguous, for forcing storm surge, surface wave, and ocean circulation models that require a parametric surface wind vector field, and evaluating surface wind field structure in numerical models of tropical cyclones.
Abstract
This study presents an analysis of near-surface (10 m) inflow angles using wind vector data from over 1600 quality-controlled global positioning system dropwindsondes deployed by aircraft on 187 flights into 18 hurricanes. The mean inflow angle in hurricanes is found to be −22.6° ± 2.2° (95% confidence). Composite analysis results indicate little dependence of storm-relative axisymmetric inflow angle on local surface wind speed, and a weak but statistically significant dependence on the radial distance from the storm center. A small, but statistically significant dependence of the axisymmetric inflow angle on storm intensity is also found, especially well outside the eyewall. By compositing observations according to radial and azimuthal location relative to storm motion direction, significant inflow angle asymmetries are found to depend on storm motion speed, although a large amount of unexplained variability remains. Generally, the largest storm-relative inflow angles (<−50°) are found in the fastest-moving storms (>8 m s−1) at large radii (>8 times the radius of maximum wind) in the right-front storm quadrant, while the smallest inflow angles (>−10°) are found in the fastest-moving storms in the left-rear quadrant. Based on these observations, a parametric model of low-wavenumber inflow angle variability as a function of radius, azimuth, storm intensity, and motion speed is developed. This model can be applied for purposes of ocean surface remote sensing studies when wind direction is either unknown or ambiguous, for forcing storm surge, surface wave, and ocean circulation models that require a parametric surface wind vector field, and evaluating surface wind field structure in numerical models of tropical cyclones.
Abstract
Radial profiles of surface winds measured by the Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) are compared to radial profiles of flight-level winds to determine the slant ratio of the maximum surface wind speed to the maximum flight-level wind speed, for flight altitude ranges of 2–4 km. The radius of maximum surface wind is found on average to be 0.875 of the radius of the maximum flight-level wind, and very few cases have a surface wind maximum at greater radius than the flight-level maximum. The mean slant reduction factor is 0.84 with a standard deviation of 0.09 and varies with storm-relative azimuth from a maximum of 0.89 on the left side of the storm to a minimum of 0.79 on the right side. Larger slant reduction factors are found in small storms with large values of inertial stability and small values of relative angular momentum at the flight-level radius of maximum wind, which is consistent with Kepert’s recent boundary layer theories. The global positioning system (GPS) dropwindsonde-based reduction factors that are assessed using this new dataset have a high bias and substantially larger RMS errors than the new technique. A new regression model for the slant reduction factor based upon SFMR data is presented, and used to make retrospective estimates of maximum surface wind speeds for significant Atlantic basin storms, including Hurricanes Allen (1980), Gilbert (1988), Hugo (1989), Andrew (1992), and Mitch (1998).
Abstract
Radial profiles of surface winds measured by the Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) are compared to radial profiles of flight-level winds to determine the slant ratio of the maximum surface wind speed to the maximum flight-level wind speed, for flight altitude ranges of 2–4 km. The radius of maximum surface wind is found on average to be 0.875 of the radius of the maximum flight-level wind, and very few cases have a surface wind maximum at greater radius than the flight-level maximum. The mean slant reduction factor is 0.84 with a standard deviation of 0.09 and varies with storm-relative azimuth from a maximum of 0.89 on the left side of the storm to a minimum of 0.79 on the right side. Larger slant reduction factors are found in small storms with large values of inertial stability and small values of relative angular momentum at the flight-level radius of maximum wind, which is consistent with Kepert’s recent boundary layer theories. The global positioning system (GPS) dropwindsonde-based reduction factors that are assessed using this new dataset have a high bias and substantially larger RMS errors than the new technique. A new regression model for the slant reduction factor based upon SFMR data is presented, and used to make retrospective estimates of maximum surface wind speeds for significant Atlantic basin storms, including Hurricanes Allen (1980), Gilbert (1988), Hugo (1989), Andrew (1992), and Mitch (1998).
