JP1.28
Angular momentum and cloud torques in TCs: An airborne Doppler radar perspective
Stephen R. Guimond, COAPS/Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; and P. D. Reasor and T. N. Krishnamurti
The absolute angular momentum (AAM) of an air parcel is of prime importance in a TC as its final value near the storm core determines, to a large degree, the intensity of the storm. Following a parcel on an f-plane and in the absence of frictional and pressure torques, AAM is conserved. However, Krishnamurti et al. (2005) found a significant, negative modification of the AAM budget from deep convective cloud elements or cloud torques in their numerical model simulations.
In this paper, the AAM budget of a TC is evaluated with a focus on cloud torques using the NOAA WP-3D airborne radars. The use of detailed, observational data will help to clarify the issues raised by Krishnamurti et al. (2005). Accounting for cloud torques in the AAM budget of a TC may help to elucidate further the role of deep convection in TCs and fit another piece of the puzzle into the intensity change problem.
Joint Poster Session 1, Tropical Cyclones and Probability/Statistics Posters
Monday, 21 January 2008, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Exhibit Hall B
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