MiamiensisWx wrote:Too many people utilize water vapor imagery for "dry air"/"moisture" judgments. You should look at the lower levels to gauge moisture and thermodynamics. The "dry air" on the water vapor image is actually at the mid levels, which may often enhance convection. The water vapor images only indicate the mid to upper levels. Mid level dry air is not detrimental to a TC's intensity, nor does it preclude intensification. However, low level dry air, dust, temperature/subsidence inversions, or a stable boundary layer is much more destructive or prohibitive for a TC. Currently, the LLC has been partially exposed because of southerly shear from convective outflow to the south and a stable boundary layer. Additionally, a SAL is present as well. Those are the real reasons for the relative lack of convection on Bertha's southern semicircle.
Tiny little correction here; mid level dry air is actually quite detrimental to TC's, as well as low level dry air. WV shows stuff in the upper levels of the atmosphere.