The effects of mesoscale (50-1000km) sea surface temperature (SST) variability on tropical cyclones (TCs) are investigated with model simulations of an idealized TC as well as
simulations of Hurricane Igor (2010) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Mesoscale SST gradients significantly modify the surface wind speed and direction leading to areas
of enhanced divergence/convergence and curl along the gradient. This paper explores the effects that these interactions between mesoscale SST gradients and the atmosphere have on TCs. In
these idealized simulations it is shown that an SST gradient of similar scale to the idealized TC vortex produces asymmetry in the eyewall convection and leads to vertical misalignment of the
vortex. Simulations of Igor are conducted with three different SST setups: a run with an unaltered SST field, a run with increased SST gradients, and a run with decreased SST gradients.
Igor's intensity and structure is found to be sensitive to the three different SST setups but the specific mechanism could not be identified. It is found that the magnitude of moisture
advection increases with increasing SST gradient magnitude on the warm side of a gradient. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science. / Fall Semester, 2014. / November 5, 2014. / Air-Sea Interaction, Numerical Modeling, Sea Surface Temperature, Tropical Cyclones, Tropical Meteorology / Includes bibliographical references. / Mark Bourassa, Professor Co-Directing Thesis; Robert Hart, Professor Co-Directing Thesis; Mark Powell, Committee Member; Vasu Misra, Committee
Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_252830 |
| Contributors | Glazer, Russell Henderson, 1989- (authoraut), Bourassa, Mark A. (professor co-directing thesis), Hart, Robert Edward, 1972- (professor co-directing thesis), Powell, Mark Dillon, 1952- (committee member), Misra, Vasubandhu, 1970- (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (56 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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