Objective Analysis of Tropical Cyclone Intensity, Strength, and Size Using Routine Aircraft Reconnaissance Data

摘要

The feasibility of objectively analyzing routine aircraft reconnaissance data for the purpose of quantifying tropical cyclone intensity, strength, and size is examined. A computer program is developed which may be used in near real time or after the fact to evaluate localized pressure/wind relationships in the tropical cyclone environment. This program compensates for the system motion and the relative position of the point of observation relative to the vortex center location at flight level and at the surface (thus accounting for the vertical tilt of the center). A representative set of data is obtained over a 13 month period for the entire spectrum of storms from tropical depression to super typhoon. These data are used to try to establish empirical pressure/wind relationships and a means of determining effective storm size. It is shown that a program of this nature may be used with gradient wind and pressure gradient relationships to evaluate intensity and strength and to define storm size, provided adequate data are available at sufficient distances from the center. (Author)