LIFE CYCLE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE JUDY AS REVEALED BY ESSA II AND NIMBUS II

Abstract

Three ESSA II views and a Nimbus II view of tropical cyclone Judy illustrate an important general characteristic of tropical cyclone development. This is the tendency of the apparent center of circulation, as seen in satellite photographs, to move from the edge of major overcast, cloudiness in the weaker stages to a more central position as the storm intensifies, and to become almost symmetrical to the main cloud shield in the most, intense stages. As the storm decreases in intensity the center of circulation again assumes an asymmetric relationship to the major overcast cloud area. Some aspects of the physical plausibility of this relationship are briefly discussed.