Tropical Cyclone Motion. A Comparison of Theory and Observation

Abstract

The analytic predictions of tropical cyclone motion by Holland are shown to be in very good agreement with observations in the Australian southwest Pacific region. These results indicate that a combined linear asymmetric advection and divergence of earth and cyclone vorticity provides the main mechanism for tropical cyclone motion. It is also shown that an accurate prediction requires a consideration of horizontal and vertical asymmetries in the wind field. Hence, care needs to be taken in defining a steering current.