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.