8B.5

Estimating tropical cyclone intensity with inner core rotation as observed by MISR

Dong L. Wu, JPL, Pasadena, CA; and D. Nelson

With high (550 m horizontal and ~200 m vertical) resolution cloud-track wind measurements, the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on NASA's Terra satellite can precisely determine inner-core rotation of a tropical cyclone (TC) from the center to the eyewall. Near the eyewall, TCs generally rotate faster than near the center, and have a distinct angular velocity that can be used to estimate the TC intensity. Studying a collection of MISR-observed TCs in the Atlantic (including Alberto-2000, Isabel-2003, Emily-2005, Wilma-2005, Franklin-2005), we find that the near-eyewall rotation velocity is closely related to TC intensity and, to some extent, to the size of TC eye for sizes < 10 km in diameter.

Recorded presentation

Session 8B, Tropical Cyclone Structure: Inner Structure and Vertical Structure
Wednesday, 12 May 2010, 8:00 AM-9:45 AM, Arizona Ballroom 2-5

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