Dynamics of Tropical Cyclones and the InterTropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

拟议的研究旨在提高我们对与热带气旋（飓风和热带风暴）有关的大气低层的理解。 这项研究还将调查赤道附近的雷暴带，称为“热带辐合带”（或“ITCZ”）。 这条风暴带通常是热带风暴和飓风的发源地。 这项研究的结果将提高我们对与这些破坏性风暴相关的低层大气复杂性的理解，并可能提高我们更好地预测这些风暴的轨迹和强度的能力。 本研究将在研究者所在机构培训一名研究生，并通过同行评审的出版物和演示文稿与其他研究者分享新知识。 这一新知识也将纳入调查员系教授的课程，培训新一代热带气象学学生。 本研究试图通过理论和简化的分析模式，进一步了解热带气旋（TC）和热带辐合带（ITCZ）的动力学。 要解决的热带大气动力学的基本问题是：（1）TC的关键结构成分的发展和演变，（2）边界层激波，Ekman泵，和TC结构/强度变化之间的反馈，和（3）集中Ekman泵在ITCZ边界层发展的过程。这项研究将简化模型扩展到更高的维度/复杂程度，并通过开发数值方法来找到这些模型的解决方案。

The proposed research seeks to improve our understanding of the lower layers of the atmosphere associated with tropical cyclones (hurricanes and tropical storms). This study will use also investigate the band of thunderstorms, near the equator, termed the "Intertropical Convergence Zone (or "ITCZ"). This band of storms can often be the source region for developing tropical storms and hurricanes. The results of this study will improve our understanding of the complexities of the lower atmosphere associated with these destructive storms, as well as potentially improve our ability to better forecast the track and intensity of these storms. This research will train a graduate student at the investigator's home institution and new knowledge will be shared with other investigators through peer-reviewed publications and presentations. This new knowledge will also be incorporated into courses taught in the investigator's department, training a new generation of students in tropical meteorology. This study seeks to further our understanding of the dynamics of tropical cyclones (TCs) and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) through the use of theory and simplified analytical models. Fundamental questions of tropical atmospheric dynamics to be addressed are: (1) the development and evolution of key structural components of TCs, (2) the feedback between boundary layer shocks, Ekman pumping, and TC structure/intensity change, and (3) the processes by which concentrated Ekman pumping develops in the ITCZ boundary layer. This investigation will extend simplified models to higher dimensions/levels of complexity, and by developing numerical methods to find solutions to these models.