Rapid intensity changes in hurricanes have been the focus of many publications. Understanding how and why these storms intensify has been the goal of many meteorologists over the last few years. This study explores the energetics of Psi-Chi interactions in modeled hurricanes of rapidly changing intensity. The energy exchanged within the storm as the flow changes from divergent to rotational is known as Psi-Chi interactions. Processes associated with latent heant and sensible heat exchanges are important when it comes to identifying changes in hurricane intensity. Understanding this interaction with the environment is crucial to understanding how the intensity changes. Model data derived from the fifth generation model from NCAR/Penn State known as the MM5 is used to calculate each term within the Psi-Chi equation. Each term is then calculated within the storm and its maximum values as well as location of maximum values within the storm are noted. The maximum value of each term and location of each term allows for an investigation of a connection between the energy exchange of the storm and its intensity. The maximum values of the terms of Psi-Chi interactions are also compared to the model intensity of each storm. Based on the comparison of model intensity and maximum term values there appears to be a strong relationship between the two (correlation values near r = 0.87), although further study is needed to determine if this simultaneous relationship can be extended to a lagged relationship to provide predictive value to forecasters. / 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. / Summer Semester, 2011. / March 7, 2011. / Hurricane, Psi Chi, Intensity / Includes bibliographical references. / T. N. Krishnamurti, Professor Directing Thesis; Robert E. Hart, Committee Member; Vasubandhu Misra, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_175943 |
| Contributors | Thompson, Aarolyn (authoraut), Krishnamurti, T. N. (professor directing thesis), Hart, Robert E. (committee member), Misra, Vasubandhu (committee member), Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| 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, 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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