The Energy and Angular Momentum Budgets of a Three-Dimensional Tropical Cyclone Model

Abstract

Energy and angular momentum budgets are analyzed for a three-dimensional model hurricane described by Kurihara and Tuleya. Eddies which developed in the model are maintained in the mature stage by energy supply from both mean kinetic and total potential energy. In the evolution of eddies during the early development stage of the storm, the supply from potential energy is more important. Eddies export latent, internal, kinetic energy and relative angular momentum from the storm core region. They also contribute to the outward transfer of energy through pressure work. However, the mean flow dominates the transport by importing those quantities into the inner area and exporting potential energy. The energy and angular momentum budgets are primarily controlled by the mean flow, though the role of eddies is not negligible for the budgets of angular momentum, kinetic and latent energy in the inner region. For the maintenance of mean kinetic energy in the inner area, both generation and advection make positive contributions. The computed transports and budgets are compared with those available for other three-dimensional models as well as with real data analyses made by other investigators.