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GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 34, L06811, doi:10.1029/2006GL028607, 2007

Evolution of convection during tropical cyclogenesis

David J. Raymond

Physics Department and Geophysical Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico, USA


Sharon L. Sessions

Physics Department and Geophysical Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico, USA


Abstract

Central to tropical cyclogenesis is the changing behavior of moist convection as the cyclone evolves. Based on a cumulus ensemble model run in weak temperature gradient mode, we suggest that the mid-level vortex created by early-stage convection stabilizes the environment in way that favors further development. In particular, modeled convection occurring in the more stable environment produces heavy rainfall and concentrated inflow at low levels. Such inflow is needed for the development of the low-level vortex characteristic of warm-core tropical cyclones. The increase in humidity which is typical of developing cyclones also increases convective rainfall, but it does not act to concentrate the inflow at low levels.

Received 27 October 2006; accepted 2 March 2007; published 31 March 2007.

Keywords: tropical cyclogenesis; deep convection; cloud modeling.

Index Terms: 3374 Atmospheric Processes: Tropical meteorology; 3314 Atmospheric Processes: Convective processes; 3349 Atmospheric Processes: Polar meteorology; 3329 Atmospheric Processes: Mesoscale meteorology.

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Citation: Raymond, D. J., and S. L. Sessions (2007), Evolution of convection during tropical cyclogenesis, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L06811, doi:10.1029/2006GL028607.