Genesis of Typhoon Chanchu (2006) from a Westerly Wind Burst Associated with the MJO. Part II: Roles of Deep Convection in Tropical Transition

Abstract

n this study, the life cycles of a series of four major mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) during genesis and their roles in transforming a vertically tilted vortex associated with a westerly wind burst (hereafter the WWB vortex) into Typhoon Chanchu (2006) are examined using 11-day cloud-resolving simulations presented in Part I. It is found that the tilted WWB vortex at early stages is characterized by an elevated cold-core layer (about 200 hPa thick) below and a weak warm column above with large vertical wind shear across the layer, which extends over a horizontal distance of about 450 km between the vortex?s 400- and 900-hPa centers. During the final two days of the genesis process, the upper-level warm column increases in depth and intensity as a result of the absorption of convectively generated vortices (CGVs), including a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV), causing more rapid amplification of cyclonic vorticity in the middle than the lower troposphere. The commencement of sustained intensification of Chanchu occurs when the upper-level warm column is vertically aligned with the surface-based warm-core vortex.Results show that four unique MCSs develop in succession on the downtilt-right side of the WWB vortex. The first MCS develops as a squall line with trailing stratiform precipitation and an MCV; subsequent MCSs include a convective cluster whose shape changes from an inverted U to a question mark and finally a spiral rainband as the WWB vortex decreases its vertical tilt. Strong cold pools are favored behind the leading connective lines during the earlier tilted-vortex stages due primarily to dry intrusion by the midlevel sheared flows, whereas few cold downdrafts occur at later stages as the WWB vortex becomes more upright and sufficiently moist. The authors conclude that the roles of the MCSs during genesis are to (a) generate cyclonic vorticity and then store it mostly in the midtroposphere, after merging CGVs within the WWB vortex; (b) moisten the low- and midlevels; (c) enhance the northward displacement of the WWB vortex; and (d) reduce the vertical tilt of the WWB vortex.