Connections between Outflow, Intensity, and Inertial Stability in Hurricane Joaquin (2015)

Tropical cyclone outflow is the subject of the Office of Naval Research Tropical Cyclone Intensity (TCI) field program, and here, links between outflow, intensity, and inertial stability are investigated in Hurricane Joaquin (2015). Examination of the Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) analyses reveal distinct outflow channels that vary in both magnitude and direction throughout the TC lifecycle. Hovmoller plots are used to capture this variability in upper level outflow and to investigate relationships between outflow and intensity. Similarly, inertial stability in the vicinity of the TC is analyzed over the TC lifecycle to identify and better understand relationships between of outflow and inertial stability.