Influence of Dust Aerosols in the Evolution of Tropical Storm Hermine

Dust aerosol interactions with developing tropical waves are one of the unanswered questions about tropical convective systems, cyclogenesis, and tropical cyclones. Previous studies have conflicting conclusions as to whether dust aerosols help or hinder tropical cyclogenesis. This research aims to evaluate the sensitivity of numerical simulations to dust aerosol inputs, to evaluate the simulation response to aerosols, and to explain the results using meteorological fundamentals. Using Tropical Storm Hermine (2022) as a case, our studies will focus on evaluating multiple Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled to Chemistry (WRF-Chem) simulations with differing dust aerosol inputs from different sources. We will evaluate the model simulations of Tropical Storm Hermine using NASA Convective Processes Experiment-Cape Verde (CPEX-CV) observations. Based on these model results, conclusions will be made about the interaction between dust aerosols and developing tropical waves. Comparisons will be done using model vs observation best track, wind, pressure, and simulated radar reflectivity plots. The simulated dust aerosol properties will also be evaluated.