Articles | Volume 4, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-4-331-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-4-331-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
18 Apr 2023
Research article |
| 18 Apr 2023
| 18 Apr 2023
Intensity fluctuations in Hurricane Irma (2017) during a period of rapid intensification
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Juliane Schwendike
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Andrew Ross
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Chris J. Short
Met Office, FitzRoy Road, Exeter, EX1 3PB, UK
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Two types of fluctuations were studied in Hurricane Irma (2017) using model simulations. The first type of fluctuation, the eyewall replacement cycle, has a Hurricane’s eyewall replaced by a second outer eyewall that develops further out. The other type of fluctuation has no replacement of the eyewall but a disruption to its structure instead.
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Short summary
We investigated intensity fluctuations that occurred during the rapid intensification of Hurricane Irma (2017) to understand their effects on the storm structure. Using high-resolution model simulations, we found that the fluctuations were caused by local regions of strong ascent just outside the eyewall that disrupted the storm, leading to a larger and more symmetrical storm eye. This alters the location and intensity of the strongest winds in the storm and hence the storm's impact.
We investigated intensity fluctuations that occurred during the rapid intensification of...
