All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 2207 669 56
PDF Downloads 2073 626 71

The Maximum Intensity of Hurricanes

Kerry A. EmanuelCenter for Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Search for other papers by Kerry A. Emanuel in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Full access

Abstract

An exact equation governing the maximum possible pressure fall in steady tropical cyclones is developed, accounting for the full effects of gaseous and condensed water on density and thermodynamics. The equation is also derived from Carnot's principle. We demonstrate the existence of critical conditions beyond which no solution for the minimum central pressure exists and speculate on the nature of hurricanes in the supercritical regime.

Abstract

An exact equation governing the maximum possible pressure fall in steady tropical cyclones is developed, accounting for the full effects of gaseous and condensed water on density and thermodynamics. The equation is also derived from Carnot's principle. We demonstrate the existence of critical conditions beyond which no solution for the minimum central pressure exists and speculate on the nature of hurricanes in the supercritical regime.

Save