The Response of a Tropical Cyclone Model to Variations in Boundary Layer Parameters, Initial Conditions, Lateral Boundary Conditions, and Domain Size

Tropical cyclone model experiments are summarized in which the drag coefficient and the analogous exchange coefficients for sensible and latent heat are varied. During the early portions of the immature stage, the response of the model storm follows linear theory and growth is more rapid with larger drag coefficients. However, the ultimate intensity reached by model storms varies inversely with the drag coefficient. The experiments indicate that air-sea exchanges of latent heat are crucial for the development and maintenance of the model storm. The air-sea exchange of sensible hept appears to be far less important.