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http://dx.doi.org/10.14191/Atmos.2013.23.1.001

Study on the Angular Momentum of Axisymmetric Tropical Cyclone in the Developing Stage  

Kang, Hyun-Gyu (Department of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Pukyong National University)
Cheong, Hyeong-Bin (Department of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Pukyong National University)
Publication Information
Atmosphere / v.23, no.1, 2013 , pp. 1-11 More about this Journal
Abstract
The angular momentum transport of an idealized axisymmetric vortex in the developing stage was investigated using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model. The balanced axisymmetric vortex was constructed based on an empirical function for tangential wind, and the temperature, geopotential, and surface pressure were obtained from the balanced equation. The numerical simulation was carried out for 6 days on the f-plane with the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) set as constant. The weak vortex at initial time was intensified with time, and reached the strength of tropical cyclone in a couple of days. The Absolute Angular Momentum (AAM) was transported along with the secondary circulation of the vortex. Total AAM integrated over a cylinder of radius of 2000 km decreased with simulation time, but total kinetic energy increased rapidly. From the budget analysis, it was found that the surface friction is mainly responsible for the decrease of total AAM. Also, contribution of the surface friction to the AAM loss was about 90% while that of horizontal advection was as small as 8%. The trajectory of neutral numerical tracers following the secondary circulation was presented for the Lagrangian viewpoint of the transports of absolute angular momentum. From the analysis using the trajectory of tracers it was found that the air parcel was under the influence of the surface friction continuously until it leaves the boundary layer near the core. Then the air parcel with reduced amount of angular momentum compared to its original amount was transported from boundary layer to upper level of the vortex and contributed to form the anti-cyclone. These results suggest that the tropical cyclone loses angular momentum as it develops, which is due to the dissipation of angular momentum by the surface friction.
Keywords
Tropical cyclone; axisymmetric vortex; angular momentum; angular momentum budget; numerical simulation;
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