Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Structure Changes in relation to Tropical Cyclone Outflow

Abstract : The overarching objective of this project is to identify impacts to tropical cyclone structure and intensity throughout the tropical cyclone lifetime. A common factor is the impact of mid- and upper-level environmental conditions that affects formation and intensification of a tropical cyclone. It is hypothesized that during the formation process, the environmental interaction has maximum impact on the vertical alignment of the fledgling circulation and as a mature tropical cyclone impacts on upper-level outflow control periods of intensification or decay. Observational data of the tropical cyclone-environment at upper levels are used in conjunction with numerical simulations to examine the spatial and temporal sensitivities that result in tropical cyclone intensification versus decay, and the mechanisms via which the environmental interaction influences the tropical cyclone primary swirling wind circulation at various stages of intensification.