A Fast Analytical Model for the Complete Radial Structure of Tropical Cyclone Low‐Level Wind Field

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Authors: Dandan Tao, Robert G. Nystrom, Daniel R. Chavas, Arthur Avenas
Cited by: 1
References: 20

Abstract

Abstract A tropical cyclone (TC) can generally be divided into three regions: inner core with vigorous convection, intermediate region with intermittent convection, and far outer region with less convective activity. The different physics in these three regions suggest correspondingly different wind structure models. In this study, we combine the inner‐core wind model from Tao et al. (2023, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gl104583 , T23), the outer wind model from Emanuel (2004, https://texmex.mit.edu/pub/emanuel/PAPERS/Energetics_Structure.pdf , E04), and a transition model of a modified Rankine vortex to create a new fast and analytical model for the complete radial structure of the TC wind field. The T23 model captures inner‐core wind variation with small errors, while the E04 model reproduces the broad outer wind structure at large radii well. The new wind model combines the strengths from both T23 and E04 models without the need for statistical fitting, showing great potential in reproducing the full range of simulated and observed TC winds.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research Wind and Air Flow Studies Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations

Publication details

Journal / source
Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Volume
53
Issue
1
Publication date
3 January 2026
Language
EN