Research Details
Description: This study used ERA-Interim analyses to generate storm-centered composites at the time of genesis for Atlantic basin, main development region tropical cyclones from 1979-2015. These composites were used to construct a statistical index relating environmental variables of cyclones at genesis to their maximum attained intensity. A robust statistical relationship was found and indicated that storms that reached higher intensities were associated at genesis with stronger, more compact, low-level vortices, better defined outflow jets, a more compact region of high mid-level relative humidity, and higher atmospheric water vapor content, despite any along-track intensity fluctuations.
Publication: Ditchek, S. D., T. C. Nelson, M. Rosenmayer, and K. L. Corbosiero, 2017: The relationship between tropical cyclones at genesis and their maximum attained intensity. J. Climate, 30, 4897-4913, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0554.1. Publisher's Online Version | PDF - © Copyright 2017 AMS
(Source: Ditchek et al. 2017)