This study explores sensitivity of the Atlantic subtropical anticyclone and the tracks of tropical cyclones traveling around the subtropical anticyclone to radiative transfer. The data sets for these experiments are derived from 120-hours forecasts generated using the T126 version of the Florida State University Global Spectral Model (FSUGSM). The subtropical anticyclone owes its origin, maintenance, and its asymmetrical nature over the Atlantic Ocean mainly due to radiative cooling over the eastern ocean. This being the case, it follows that the way radiative properties are modeled will play a crucial role in determining the reliability of a forecast. In order to examine this, the full FSUGSM is compared to a version with no radiative properties. This represents the most extreme case and shows the significance of radiative properties on not only the subtropical anticyclone, but also the flow associated with it, and thus the tracks of tropical cyclones traversing the Atlantic Ocean. Since the subtropical anticyclone is the dominant factor in the steering flow, it follows that changes in the tropical cyclones' tracks occur in concert with changes seen in the anticyclone under different radiative conditions. The effects of (no) radiation take about three days to manifest themselves. The subtropical high weakens, and broadens westward without radiative cooling to maintain it. In turn, the orientation of the subtropical high changes as does the steering pattern. Due to this there is a change seen in the tracks of the tropical cyclones. The cyclones are more to the west and south compared to the normal model. Thus, radiation is an important factor in the forecasts of tropical cyclones and their steering environment three days or greater. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Meteorology in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2007. / Date of Defense: October 25, 2007. / Azores High, Subtropical High, Florida State University Global Spectral Model, FSUGSM, Bermuda High, Tropical Cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Steering / Includes bibliographical references. / T. N. Krishnamurti, Professor Directing Thesis; Robert E. Hart, Committee Member; Guosheng Liu, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_168911 |
| Contributors | Diaz, Dante Christopher (authoraut), Krishnamurti, T. N. (professor directing thesis), Hart, Robert E. (committee member), Liu, Guosheng (committee member), Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
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