Distribution of severe weather indices in landfalling numerically simulated hurricanes

Much of the previous research done on hurricane-spawned tornadoes has frequently utilized RAOB data from the closest proximity available. Using the definition of a proximity sounding as one that occurs within 3 hours or 185 km of any given tornado, the assumption is that the atmosphere does not change greatly over time or distance. This is not completely true in hurricanes. Numerical simulations of landfalling hurricanes can provide all required variables at fine enough resolutions to allow thorough investigation of severe weather patterns in landfalling hurricanes and their evolution.

To get a better understanding of these parameters, idealized, numerical modeling experiments were constructed. In these experiments, a hurricane made landfall on a straight, east-west oriented coastline with uniform land-use, on low, flat terrain.

The results from two different land surfaces will be compared, in order to gain understanding in the relative contribution of friction in the production of tornado producing environments within the hurricane. This study attempts to identify the potential areas of tornado development by analyzing several known variables in tornadogenesis before, during, and after landfall.