Mesoscale Vortex Dynamics in Tropical Weather Systems

热带气旋的发展仍然是一个难以预测的问题。 这个研究项目的目的是研究热带天气系统中发生的复杂运动，以及它们如何相互作用，以帮助或阻碍热带气旋的发展。 该项目的影响将有助于改善公共安全所依赖的热带气旋预报模型。 该项目还包括加强劳动力发展的实习机会。该项目的重点是热带天气系统中发生的复杂中尺度涡旋相互作用的性质和后果。 这些研究活动将增进对各种情况下控制中尺度涡旋合并和排列的机制的了解，因为海洋表面通量、云过程和辐射有可能对动态产生强烈影响。 使用云模式1模式的理想化数值模拟将包括大部分的研究，并旨在帮助回答两个主要的研究问题：1）中尺度涡旋相互作用如何影响热带气旋的发展？2)非绝热中尺度涡旋如何相互作用，是什么控制着它们相互作用的性质？该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

Tropical cyclone development remains a difficult forecast problem. The objective of this research project is to study the complex motions that occur in a tropical weather system and how they interact to either assist or hinder tropical cyclone development. The impact of the project will be to help improve tropical cyclone forecast models that are relied upon for public safety. The project also includes an internship opportunity to enhance workforce development. This project is focused on the nature and consequences of complex mesoscale vortex interactions that occur in tropical weather systems. The research activities will advance knowledge of the mechanisms that control mesoscale vortex merger and alignment under various scenarios, when oceanic surface fluxes, cloud processes and radiation have the potential to strongly affect the dynamics. Idealized numerical modeling using the Cloud Model 1 model will comprise the bulk of the study and is intended to help answer the main two research questions: 1) How do mesoscale vortex interactions influence tropical cyclone development? 2) How do diabatic mesoscale vortices interact, and what controls the nature of their interaction?This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.