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Interaction between the lower- and upper-level circulations of a tropical vortex and its influence on the vortex trajectory

Wechselwirkung zwischen den Zirkulationen im unteren und im oberen Teil einer tropischen Zyklone und ihr Einfluß auf die Trajektorie der Zyklone

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Summary

A two-layer discrete vortex model developed previously is applied to calculate the interaction between the lower- and upper-level circulations of a sloping vortex. With the aid of such a calculation the influence of the interaction is studied on the trajectory of the lower vortex. The model is applied to some analytical data to simulate situations of practical interest.

The trajectory oscillation of the vortex appears to be quite sensitive to changes in the vortex parameters, e. g., the vertical tilt, the intensity of the vortex circulation, stability and the steering current in which it is embedded. If either the vortex's inclination is reduced, its stability lowered or the steering current made weaker, the trajectory of the vortex performed distinct loops. More specific changes in the path of the vortex are discussed in relation to variations in the above mentioned parameters. The theoretical results are compared with some of the earlier observational findings of the tropical cyclone movement studies. Finally, a comment about the applicability of the model for predicting the short-term displacements of a tropical cyclone is made.

Zusammenfassung

Ein früher entwickeltes Zweischichten-Wirbelmodell wird zur Berechnung der Wechselwirkung zwischen den Zirkulationen im unteren und im oberen Teil eines schrägen Wirbels angewendet. Mit Hilfe dieser Berechnung wird der Einfluß der Wechselwirkung auf die Bahn des unteren Wirbels untersucht. Das Modell wird auf einige analytische Daten zur Simulierung von Lagen von praktischem Interesse angewendet.

Die Trajektorienschwingung des Wirbels scheint auf Änderungen der Wirbelparameter, wie der Neigung der Achse, der Intensität der Wirbelzirkulation, der Stabilität und des Steuerungsstromes, in den er eingebettet ist, sehr empfindlich zu sein. Wenn entweder die Neigung der Wirbelachse verkleinert, seine Stabilität vermindert oder der Steuerungsstrom schwächer wird, vollführt die Trajektorie des Wirbels deutliche Schleifen. Verschiedene spezifische Änderungen der Bahn des Wirbels werden in Beziehung zu Änderungen der oben erwähnten Parameter besprochen. Die theoretischen Ergebnisse werden mit einigen bei früheren Untersuchungen der Bewegung tropischer Zyklone gefundenen Beobachtungsergebnissen verglichen. Abschließend werden Bemerkungen über die Anwendbarkeit des Modells zur Vorhersage kurzfristiger Verschiebungen einer tropischen Zyklone gemacht.

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Author notes

  1. M. L. Khandekar

    Present address: Department of Geography, Division of Meteorology, The University of Alberta, T6G 2H4, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

  2. G. V. Rao

    Present address: Department of Earth & Atmospheric Science, Saint Louis University, 63156, Saint Louis, MO, U.S.A.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Division of Meteorology, The University of Alberta, T6G 2H4, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    G. V. Rao

  2. Department of Earth & Atmospheric Science, Saint Louis University, 63156, Saint Louis, MO, U.S.A.

    M. L. Khandekar

Authors
  1. M. L. Khandekar
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  2. G. V. Rao
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Khandekar, M.L., Rao, G.V. Interaction between the lower- and upper-level circulations of a tropical vortex and its influence on the vortex trajectory. Arch. Met. Geoph. Biokl. A. 24, 19–32 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247555

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247555

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