Aerodynamic Models for Hurricanes III. Modeling hurricane boundary layer

TL;DR

This paper develops an approximate physical model of the hurricane boundary layer, deriving analytical expressions for key dynamic variables and comparing them with observed data to improve understanding of hurricane structure.

Contribution

It introduces a new approximate airflow model for the hurricane boundary layer, including integral balance relations and analytical solutions for dynamic variables.

Findings

Derived expressions for maximum velocities and temperature increase.

Estimated variable values align with observed hurricane data.

Provided a model for radial wind and pressure distribution in hurricanes.

Abstract

The third paper of the series (see previous ones in Refs.[1-2]) discusses basic physicalprocesses in the (quasi-) steady hurricane boundary layer (HBL), develops an approximate airflow model, establishes the HBL structure, and presents integral balance relations for dynamic and thermodynamic variables in HBL. Models of evaporation and condensation are developed, where the condensation is treated similarly to the slow combustion theory. A turbulent approximation for the lower sub-layer of HBL is applied to the sea-air interaction to establish the observed increase in angular momentum in the outer region of HBL.A closed set of balance relations has been obtained. Simple analytical solution of the set yields expressions for the basic dynamic variables - maximal tangential and radial velocities in hurricane, maximal vertical speed in eye wall, the affinity speed of hurricane travel, and the maximal temperature increase after condensation. Estimated values of the variables seem to be realistic. An attempt is also made to describe the radial distributions of wind velocity and surface pressure observed in the hurricane Frederic (1979).