HR: 1340h
AN: A43B-0044    [Abstracts]
TI: Variability of vertical shear within the tropical North Atlantic
AU: * Aiyyer, A
EM: aiyyer@atmos.albany.edu
AF: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences University at Albany, SUNY Albany, ES 321 1400 Washinton Ave, Albany, NY 12222 United States
AU: Thorncroft, C
EM: chris@atmos.albany.edu
AF: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences University at Albany, SUNY Albany, ES 321 1400 Washinton Ave, Albany, NY 12222 United States
AB: Past studies have shown that vertical wind shear is a key environmental factor that influences Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. Thus, there is the need to better understand the factors that contribute to the variability of the vertical shear in order to the improve the prediction of tropical cyclone activity in this region. In the present study, we consider the interannual to decadal variability of vertical shear over the tropical North Atlantic. We examine an ensemble of 6 simulations performed using the HadAM3 GCM that is forced by reconstructed historical SST for the period 1871-1999. The spatial and temporal variability of vertical shear simulated by the GCM is evaluated against the ECMWF and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data. The relationship between Atlantic shear and forcings such as SST and Sahelian precipitation are investigated using the GCM simulations as well as the reanalysis datasets. The results to be presented at the conference will emphasize the role of local processes and teleconnections that influence the vertical wind shear over the tropical North Atlantic.
DE: 3339 Ocean/atmosphere interactions (0312, 4504)
DE: 3374 Tropical meteorology
DE: 3300 METEOROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting