Meteorology: Understanding the Atmosphere Ackerman and Knox |
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Hurricanes are complex weather disturbances. Simple models are often used to help us understand the basics of complex flow patterns. This is a simple model of hurricane. A discussion of this simple model can be found in the book by R. Stull, Meteorology for Scientists and Engineers, published by Brooks/Cole. The model assumes that changes in the tangential velocity near the surface and the average tropospheric temperature are related to the change in pressure. The model also assumes:
Use this simple model of hurricane to explore the relationships between the change in the hurricane's central pressure and its impact on the wind and temperature distribution in the hurricane. In addition to changing the central pressure, you can also change the distance from the center of the hurricane to the eye-wall. (Instructions)
Instructions (audio)You have control of two parameters, the pressure difference between the environment and the central pressure of the hurricane, and the radius of the eye-wall. As you change these parameters, you change the distribution of the tangential wind and temperature as a function of the distance from the hurricane eye. Changes are with reference to the average conditions of the environment. |