Abstract: Environmental vertical wind shear is observed to limit tropical cyclone intensity, but the mechanisms behind how this occurs are uncertain. The talk focuses on one hypothesized mechanism: mid-level ventilation or the flux of low entropy air into the inner core of a tropical cyclone. The steady state behavior of a ventilated tropical cyclone is examined using an idealized framework based on steadiness, axisymmetry, and slantwise neutrality. The framework accounts for two possible pathways: the first through downdrafts outside the eyewall and the second through eddy fluxes directly into the eyewall. In either case, ventilation is detrimental to the tropical cyclone in that it constrains the maximum intensity and introduces the possibility of absolute decay if the ventilation is too large. Implications for operational intensity forecasts and climate studies are discussed. ||
Host: Angela Zalucha