Spiral Rainbands in Numerical Simulations of Tropical Cyclones in Uniform and Vertically Sheared Flows

Previous studies have examined spiral rainbands in numerical simulations of tropical cyclones under idealized no-mean-flow conditions. However, more realistic large-scale environmental conditions surrounding tropical cyclones are vertically sheared flows. This study examines spiral rainbands in numerical simulations of tropical cyclones embedded in uniform and vertically sheared flows. Preliminary results show that only the numerical simulations of tropical cyclones under vertically sheared flows produce both radially inward-tilting, distant rainbands and radially outward-tilting, relative-stationary principal rainbands.