Typhoon structure as revealed by aircraft reconnaissance. Part II: structural variability

Abstract

This paper describes the varying structure of the tropical cyclone's outer-radius wind profile in relation to its inner-core intensity or minimum sea level pressure (MSLP) and eye-size characteristics. We explore this inner- to outer-radius structural relationship and its variability for the full range of cyclone central pressures, eye diameters, outer-core (1o-2.5o radius) wind strengths, and for radial extent of 15 m s-1 (30 kt) and 25 m s-1 (50 kt) surface winds. Results show that outer-radius wind strength and inner-core intensity can vary greatly and that there is only a weak relationship between these parameters. However, if information is available on whether an eye-wall cloud exists and what the size of the eye is, then a significant reduction in the wide variance between SMLP and outer wind radius is observed. -from Authors