http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0551-6543
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ABSTRACT
Harvey was one of the worst hurricanes that hit the Gulf coast in recent history, causing severe loss of lives and property through excessive precipitation and flooding. In the present study we have carried out analysis of satellite data and high-resolution models to understand the physical processes that led to the development and intensification of hurricane Harvey as it made landfall and progressed inwards. We have studied horizontal and vertical changes in meteorological parameters, along the track of the hurricane Harvey to understand the intensification and spatial distribution of high precipitation. Maximum intensity of the storm was observed on 26 August; however the most intense precipitation occurred on 27 August that was caused by the slowing down of Harvey. Our detailed analysis shows contrasting storm intensity between the two sides of the storm, one along the direction of storm motion and the other along the trailing side, which has been shown to be the primary driver for the distribution of precipitation and its variation in intensity.
Key Points
Intense warming of SST in Gulf of Mexico beginning from 17 August and peaking on 21 August detected.
Passage of eye of Harvey detected and slow down of Harvey responsible for excessive precipitation
Spatial distribution of precipitation dictated by positioning of the eye wall along the direction of storm propagation; wind speed and vertical wind shear.
Total precipitation in excess of 152 cm (60 inches) over certain areas detected.
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to the two anonymous Reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions that helped us enhance this work. We are also thankful to NOAA and NCDC for granting the free use of their datasets that have been used for this study. The first author acknowledges the support of Sadashiva Devadiga and Keith Duffy from Science Systems and Applications Inc., for their support and encouragement.