The Physics of Size Changes of Tropical Cyclones

Many recent studies have pointed to the significant effect that the size of a tropical cyclone (TC) has in modifying its movement. This study attempts to find the climatological and dynamical characteristics associated with TC size. The first task of the project is to determine the best method to define the size of a TC, since different definitions of the size may lead to different physical interpretations of results. For this purpose, the satellite-derived wind data from the European Remote Sensing satellites 1 and 2 (ERS-1 and ERS-2) are used to estimate TC size. The TCs studied are then classified according to their temporal changes in size. In addition, the physical processes governing TC size change, and the characteristic synoptic patterns associated with TCs of different sizes are examined.

References:

Liu, K. S. and J. C. L. Chan, 1999: Size of tropical cyclones as inferred from ERS-1 and ERS-2 data. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127,  2992-001.  Abstract