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Tropical Cyclone Diurnal Cycle as Observed by TRMM
Kenneth D Leppert1, Daniel J Cecil2
1Earth System Science Center, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama Current affiliation: University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Summary
Tropical cyclones exhibit a distinct diurnal cycle in rainfall and cloudiness, impacting storm intensity. This study analyzed TRMM data to reveal diurnal patterns in precipitation and cloud structure within tropical cyclones.
Area of Science:
- Meteorology
- Atmospheric Science
- Tropical Cyclone Research
Background:
- Tropical cyclones display a consistent diurnal cycle in rainfall and cold cloudiness.
- This cycle may influence storm structure, intensity, and forecasting accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diurnal cycle of tropical cyclones using passive and active microwave measurements.
- To understand the diurnal variations in cloud and precipitation structure within a deep layer of the troposphere.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR).
- Analyzed composite coverage of PR reflectivity (≥20 dBZ) and TMI rainfall rates.
- Examined data for Atlantic tropical cyclones from 1998-2011 with at least tropical storm strength.
Main Results:
- A diurnal signal was detected for radii <500 km through a deep layer (2-10 km) of the troposphere.
- Outer regions (100-500 km) showed peak reflectivity coverage in the morning (0130-1030 LST) and a minimum in the afternoon (1030-1930 LST).
- Inner core (0-100 km) exhibited a single-peaked diurnal cycle at upper levels (8-10 km) with a maximum between 2230-0430 LST.
- TMI rainfall composites showed a clear diurnal cycle at all radii (200-1000 km), peaking in the morning (0130-0730 LST).
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a significant diurnal cycle in tropical cyclone structure and precipitation.
- These findings are crucial for improving the understanding and forecasting of tropical cyclone intensity and behavior.
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