The Turbulent Microstructure of Hurricane Caroline (1975)

Abstract

Microscale horizontal velocity fluctuation measurements in Hurricane Caroline (1975) show that except in the eye, turbulent energy dissipation does not vary systematically with wind speed or altitude. Inertial subrange-shaped spectra are found below cloud base and slightly above it. At higher altitudes, some deviation from that shape may occur. The amount of energy dissipated within the body of the storm is slightly larger than that dissipated at the surface in accord with earlier estimates by residuals. The dissipation is highly intermittent with a log-normal cumulative probability distribution.