Abstract
AbstractIn this study w e explored why the different initial tropical cyclone structures can result in different steady‐state maximum intensities in model simulations with the same environmental conditions. We discovered a linear relationsh ip between the radius of maximum wind (rm) and the absolute angular momentum that passes through rm (Mm) in the model simulated steady‐state tropical cyclones that rm = aMm+b. This nonnegligible intercept b is found to be the key to making a steady‐state storm with a larger Mm more intense. The sensitivity experiments show that this nonzero b results mainly from horizontal turbulent mixing and decreases with decreased horizontal mixing. Using this linear relationship from the simulations, it is also found that the degree of supergradient wind is a function of Mm as well as the turbulent mixing length such that both a larger Mm and/or a reduced turbulent mixing length result in larger supergradient winds.
Highlights
The size and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs) as well as their relationship have been explored by many modeling and observational studies. Merrill (1984) found that the radius of outermost closed isobar is weakly correlated to a TC's intensity
We discovered a linear relationsh ip between the radius of maximum wind and the absolute angular momentum that passes through rm (Mm) in the model simulated steady‐state tropical cyclones that rm = aMm+b
This study seeks to know the relations among Mm, rm and Vm in the model simulations of TCs under the same environmental conditions, and what causes the discrepancy between the maximum potential intensity (MPI) theories and model simulations
Summary
The size and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs) as well as their relationship have been explored by many modeling and observational studies. Merrill (1984) found that the radius of outermost closed isobar is weakly correlated to a TC's intensity. Since theoretical work has been well established for steady‐state TCs, it is beneficial to first investigate the relationship between the size and intensity of steady‐state TCs. Tropical cyclones theoretically have one maximum potential intensity (MPI; see the supporting information for MPI's two interpretations) in a given environment, which is mainly determined by the environmental parameters (Emanuel, 1986, 1988, 1995; Emanuel & Rotunno, 2011, hereinafter ER11; Shutts, 1981). Tropical cyclones theoretically have one maximum potential intensity (MPI; see the supporting information for MPI's two interpretations) in a given environment, which is mainly determined by the environmental parameters (Emanuel, 1986, 1988, 1995; Emanuel & Rotunno, 2011, hereinafter ER11; Shutts, 1981) This environmental control would indicate that the tropical cyclone initial conditions and its internal processes would have little influence on the maximum achievable intensity if the tropical cyclone could develop in the same environment without interruption. At the end of the paper, we will discuss the application of this study to better understanding TC intensity and size, and explain the new insights in the forecasting of future TCs
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