A multiscale numerical study of Hurricane Andrew (1992). Part II: Kinematics and inner-core structures

Abstract

Despite considerable research, understanding of the temporal evolution of the inner-core structures of hurricanes is very limited owing to the lack of continuous high-resolution observational data of a storm. In this study, the results of a 72-h explicit simulation of Hurricane Andrew (1992) with a grid size of 6 km are examined to explore the inner-core axisymmetric and asymmetric structures of the storm during its rapid deepening stage. Based on the simulation, a conceptual model of the axisymmetric structures of the storm is proposed. Most of the proposed structures confirm previous observations. The main ingredients include a main inflow (outflow) in the boundary layer (upper troposphere) with little radial flow in between, a divergent slantwise ascent in the eyewall, a penetrative dry downdraft at the inner edge of the eyewall, and a general weak subsiding motion in the eye with typical warming/drying above an inversion located near an altitude of about 2-3 km. The storm deepens as the axes of these features contract. It is found that the inversion divides the eye of the hurricane vertically into two parts, with a deep layer of warm/dry air above and a shallow pool of warm/moist air below. The air aloft descends at an average rate of 5 cm s-1 and has a residency time of several days. In contrast, the warm/moist pool consists of air from the main inflow and penetrative downdrafts, offset somewhat by the air streaming in a returning outflow into the eyewall in the lowest 2 km; it is subject to the influence of the upward heat and moisture fluxes over the underlying warm ocean. The warm/moist pool appears to play an important role in supplying high-θe air for deep convective development in the eyewall. The penetrative downdraft is dry and originates from the return inflow in the upper troposphere, and it is driven by sublimative/evaporative cooling under the influence of the (asymmetric) radial inflow of dry/cold air in the midtroposphere. It penetrates to the bottom of the eye (azimuthally downshear with a width often greater than 100 km) in a radially narrow zone along the slantwise inner edge of the eyewall. It is further shown that all the meteorological fields are highly asymmetric. Whereas the storm-scale flow features a source-sink couplet in the boundary layer and dual gyres aloft, the inner-core structures exhibit alternative radial inflow and outflow and a series of inhomogeneous updrafts and downdrafts. All the fields tilt more or less with height radially outward and azimuthally downshear. Furthermore, pronounced fluctuations of air motion are found in both the eye and the eyewall. Sometimes, a deep layer of upward motion appears at the center of the eye. All these features contribute to the trochoidal oscillation of the storm track and movement. The main steering appears to be located at the midtroposphere (∼4.5 km) and the deep-layer mean winds represent well the movement of the hurricane.