EGU2020-4383
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-4383
EGU General Assembly 2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Microphysics-Based Bulk Parameterizations of Enthalpy and Momentum Fluxes for Tropical Cyclones

Sydney Sroka and Kerry Emanuel
Sydney Sroka and Kerry Emanuel
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States of America

Despite the powerful influence that sea spray has on air-sea enthalpy and momentum fluxes, most state-of-the-art tropical cyclone forecast models do not incorporate the microphysics of sea spray evaporation into their boundary layer flux schemes. Since the air-sea enthalpy and momentum fluxes control a tropical cyclone’s intensification rate, increasing the accuracy of the associated bulk parameterizations is crucially important for improving forecast skill. New microphysics-based bulk parameterizations for enthalpy and momentum flux through the tropical cyclone boundary layer are developed from a set of prognostic evaporation equations and numerical simulations of evaporating, multiphase flow subject to extreme wind speeds. The microphysics-based parameterizations are computationally inexpensive and are functions of the local environmental conditions; these features allow forecast models to efficiently vary the air-sea enthalpy and momentum fluxes in space and time. By developing microphysics-based bulk parameterizations, the influence that sea spray exerts on tropical cyclone intensification can be more accurately simulated and intensity forecasts could be improved.

How to cite: Sroka, S. and Emanuel, K.: Microphysics-Based Bulk Parameterizations of Enthalpy and Momentum Fluxes for Tropical Cyclones, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-4383, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-4383, 2020