barotropical vs. baroclinical
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:48 pm
I have three nagging questions that I would like answered. A tropical storm is called a hurricane when it reaches 74 mph (although mph are always given in 5-mile increments). Is that the intensity necessary to create an eye-wall? (Can an eye form with less intensity and can a hurricane not have an eye wall, not even one hidden by cirrus clouds?)
A tropical storm (barotropical) is identified because of spiral rain bands radiating from the center, caused by the latent energy of the warm waters and the counterclockwise winds; in addition, the temperatures warm up as you approach the center, consistent with the above. A non-tropical low (baroclinical) is caused by temperature differences between two air masses, and the uplifting of the warmer air results in condensation (mostly ahead of the cold front on which the low has formed, or in back of a warm front; in addition, temperatures decrease as you approach the center). So, what is a "sub-tropical low"? My guess is that it has both bands and frontal precipitation, but that's just a guess. And do the temperatures increase as you approach the center, or just some temperatures?
How does an extra-tropical storm differ either from a baroclinic or sub-tropical storm? My guess is that it was once a tropical storm but has become baroclinic.
A tropical storm (barotropical) is identified because of spiral rain bands radiating from the center, caused by the latent energy of the warm waters and the counterclockwise winds; in addition, the temperatures warm up as you approach the center, consistent with the above. A non-tropical low (baroclinical) is caused by temperature differences between two air masses, and the uplifting of the warmer air results in condensation (mostly ahead of the cold front on which the low has formed, or in back of a warm front; in addition, temperatures decrease as you approach the center). So, what is a "sub-tropical low"? My guess is that it has both bands and frontal precipitation, but that's just a guess. And do the temperatures increase as you approach the center, or just some temperatures?
How does an extra-tropical storm differ either from a baroclinic or sub-tropical storm? My guess is that it was once a tropical storm but has become baroclinic.