부산대학교 도서관

Tropical weather phenomena—including tropical cyclones (TCs) and equatorial waves—are influenced by planetary‐to‐convective‐scale processes; yet, existing data sets and tools can only capture a subset of those processes. This study introduces a convection‐permitting aquaplanet simulation that can be used as a laboratory to study TCs, equatorial waves, and their interactions. The simulation was produced with the Model for Prediction Across Scales‐Atmosphere (MPAS‐A) using a variable resolution mesh with convection‐permitting resolution (i.e., 3‐km cell spacing) between 10°S and 30°N. The underlying sea‐surface temperature is given by a zonally symmetric profile with a peak at 10°N, which allows for the formation of TCs. A comparison between the simulation and satellite, reanalysis, and airborne dropsonde data is presented to determine the realism of the simulated phenomena. The simulation captures a realistic TC intensity distribution, including major hurricanes, but their lifetime maximum intensities may be limited by the stronger vertical wind shear in the simulation compared to the observed tropical Pacific region. The simulation also captures convectively coupled equatorial waves, including Kelvin waves and easterly waves. Despite the idealization of the aquaplanet setup, the simulated three‐dimensional structure of both groups of waves is consistent with their observed structure as deduced from satellite and reanalysis data. Easterly waves, however, have peak rotation and meridional winds at a slightly higher altitude than in the reanalysis. Future studies may use this simulation to understand how convectively coupled equatorial waves influence the multi‐scale processes leading to tropical cyclogenesis. Plain Language Summary: Despite many advancements in the science and prediction of tropical cyclones (TCs), scientists are still trying to explain the most important processes governing the evolution and characteristics of TCs. An emerging area of focus is how atmospheric oscillations, known as Kelvin waves, may increase the likelihood that a disturbance (often times referred to as an easterly wave) may become a TC. However, available atmospheric data sets are unable to capture all the fine details of TCs, disturbances, and Kelvin waves. To alleviate this challenge, this study presents a computer simulation of an Earth‐like atmosphere except without continents or seasons. The simplicity of the simulation allows scientists to study the full life cycle of TCs—from their formation to their evolution into powerful hurricanes. Results of this study show that the simulated TCs, Kelvin waves, and easterly waves resemble those that happen in nature. Therefore, the simulation can be used to advance our understanding of how TCs form and of how multi‐scale phenomena, such as Kelvin waves, affect the chances of TC formation at a particular location and time. Key Points: An aquaplanet simulation with convection‐permitting resolution in the tropics is presented as a tool to study tropical weather phenomenaThe structure of tropical cyclones (TCs) and equatorial waves is realistically captured despite the idealized configurationThe simulation may be used for fundamental process‐based studies of TCs, equatorial waves, and their interactions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]