The 23rd Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology

P7B.9
EYE STRUCTURE OF TYPHOON PAKA AS VIEWED BY THE KWAJALEIN DOPPLER RADAR

Wesley S. Burgett, Aeromet, Inc,, Marshall Islands; and G. H. Trapp

Typhoon Paka passed within range of the DWSR-93S Doppler Radar on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, during the period 10-12 December 1997. The eye of Typhoon Paka was visible on long-range surveillance scans from 1200 UTC 10 December 1997, through 1200 UTC on 12 December 1997. A detailed study (1000 UTC 11 December through 0000 UTC 12 December 1997) of the eye structure was performed as Typhoon Paka passed with 150 km (closest approach) of the radar site.

Analysis of radar data from 11 December indicates a double eyewall structure along with several mesoscale vorticies rotating around both the inner and outer eyewalls of Typhoon Paka. The appearance of the double eyewall in Typhoon Paka correlates well with a temporary decrease in the doppler radar wind speed estimates surrounding the storm. As the older, inner eyewall collapses late on 11 December (forming a single 40 km diameter eye), radar estimated winds began to increase. Vertical cross-sections along with doppler velocity estimates will be presented detailing the eye evolution

The 23rd Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology