On the forcing of the radial-vertical circulation within cyclones—part 1: concepts and equations

Abstract

Following the theoretical result of Eliassen, the Sawyer-Eliassen equation for frontal circulations and the equation for forcing the meridional circulation within a circumpolar vortex are extended in isentropic coordinates to des-cribe the forcing of the azimuthally averaged mass-weighted radial-vertical circulation within translating extratropical and tropical cyclones. Several physical processes which are not evident in studies employing isobaric coordinates are isolated in this isentropic study. These processes include the effects of pressure torque, inertial torque and storm translation that are associated with the asymmetric structure in isentropic coordinates. This isentropic study also includes the effects of eddy angular momentum transport, diabatic heating and frictional torque that are common in both isentropic and isobaric studies. All of the processes are modulated by static, inertial and baroclinic stabilities.