8B.2
**Extratropical Transitions: Precipitation Distribution
Eyad H. Atallah, SUNY, Albany, NY
Currently precipitation forecasts associated with landfalling tropical cyclones are based on a simple algorithm where the maximum 24-h precipitation (in inches) is forecast by 100/v, where v (in mph) is the translational speed of the cyclone. This algorithm, however, provides little insight as to the precipitation distribution and intensity that can be expected in a landfalling tropical cyclone. Furthermore, several recent cases (Danny 1997, Dennis, Floyd, and Irene 1999) show that precipitation distribution and intensity can be drastically altered by interactions with mid-latitude troughs and jet streaks which often result in extratropical transitions. Occasionally, these interactions produce catastrophic rainfalls as illustrated by hurricane Floyd in September 1999. This talk will present diagnostics, from a potential vorticity (PV) perspective, of results from case studies of the storms mentioned above, designed to elucidate the important dynamical and thermodynamical processes responsible for the modulation of the precipitation distribution and intensity.
Preliminary results suggest that regions of strong baroclinicity are often created as the cold-core anomaly associated with the mid-latitude trough approaches the warm-core anomaly associated with the tropical system. The resulting baroclinic zone can resemble a coastal front, with the significant exception that this baroclinic zone is a very deep feature, often extending throughout the troposphere. As the extratropical transition takes place, cool dry air is wrapped around the southern extent of the cyclone, resulting in a marked decrease in the precipitation on the east side of the cyclone. Meanwhile, a significant increase in both the aerial extent and rate of the precipitations occurs in the northwest quadrant of the cyclone in response to deep ascent associated with warm-air advection and differential cyclonic vorticity advection (positive PV advection).
Session 8B, Extratropical transition I (Parallel with Sessions 8A and J5)
Thursday, 25 May 2000, 8:00 AM-9:45 AM
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