Energy transformations in the subcloud layer of hurricane Gladys(1975)

Abstract

The question of the energy balance of air penetrating toward a hurricane core in the subcloud layer is examined at hand of research flight observations, when a whole hurricane mission was carried out at and below cloud base. The pressure drop in this model is taken as due to energy supplied by oceanic sensible heat transfer to the atmosphere. The subcloud layer depth so calculated agrees well with the observed one. All sensible heat supply is retained in the subcloud layer while about half of the evaporated moisture must be transported by turbulent exchange to higher layers. Kinetic energy balance is achieved in the subcloud layer without substantial turbulent transfer from above. But, this result does not hold at hurricanes of greater intensity when heat or kinetic energy transport from above is required or when, alternatively, the surface sensible heat source must be intensified. The kinetic energy balance of inflow above the subcloud layer must be achieved largely by turbulent exchange in cloud towers penetrating to the upper troposphere.