The relationship between tropical cyclone intensity changes and its precipitation features

The evolution and structural changes of the precipitation field are characterized for the life cycles of major tropical cyclones (TCs) over the Western Pacific during August and September of last ten years. In this study, we examine the relationship between the tropical cyclone intensity changes and its precipitation features.

A real-time multi-sensor precipitation product from NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the best track data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) are used to characterize the evolution, intensity and structural changes of tropical cyclone rainbands during the formation, intensification and dissipation of each storm. The correlations between TC intensity changes and the changes of precipitation features are statistically analyzed.

It is found that the variations of intensity, shape and area coverage of the precipitation are related to the TC intensity changes. Maximum precipitation rates align with the TC formations and intensity changes. In addition, large area coverage and more spiral structures are associated with TC formation, and in some cases with the TC intensity changes. More detailed results will be presented in the conference.