Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3387
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3387
26 Nov 2024
 | 26 Nov 2024
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Weather and Climate Dynamics (WCD).

A Unified Framework for Surface Flux-Driven Cyclones Outside the Tropics

Kerry Emanuel, Tommaso Alberti, Stella Bourdin, Suzana J. Camargo, Davide Faranda, Manos Flaounas, Juan Jesus Gonzalez-Aleman, Chia-Ying Lee, Mario Marcello Miglietta, Claudia Pasquero, Alice Portal, Hamish Ramsay, and Romualdo Romero

Abstract. Cyclonic storms resembling tropical cyclones are sometimes observed well outside the tropics. These include medicanes, polar lows, subtropical cyclones, Kona storms, and possibly some cases of Australian East Coast cyclones. Their structural similarity to tropical cyclones lies in their tight, nearly axisymmetric inner cores, eyes, and spiral bands. Previous studies of these phenomena suggest that they are partly and sometimes wholly driven by surface enthalpy fluxes, as with tropical cyclones. Here we show, through a series of case studies, that many of these non-tropical cyclones have morphologies and structures that resemble each other and also closely match those of tropical transitioning cyclones, with the important distinction that the potential intensity that supports them is not present in the pre-storm environment but rather is locally generated in the course of their development. We therefore propose to call these storms CYClones from Locally Originating Potential intensity (CYCLOPs). Like their tropical cousins, the rapid development and strong winds of cyclops pose a significant threat and forecast challenge for islands and coastal regions.

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Kerry Emanuel, Tommaso Alberti, Stella Bourdin, Suzana J. Camargo, Davide Faranda, Manos Flaounas, Juan Jesus Gonzalez-Aleman, Chia-Ying Lee, Mario Marcello Miglietta, Claudia Pasquero, Alice Portal, Hamish Ramsay, and Romualdo Romero

Status: open (until 07 Jan 2025)

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Kerry Emanuel, Tommaso Alberti, Stella Bourdin, Suzana J. Camargo, Davide Faranda, Manos Flaounas, Juan Jesus Gonzalez-Aleman, Chia-Ying Lee, Mario Marcello Miglietta, Claudia Pasquero, Alice Portal, Hamish Ramsay, and Romualdo Romero
Kerry Emanuel, Tommaso Alberti, Stella Bourdin, Suzana J. Camargo, Davide Faranda, Manos Flaounas, Juan Jesus Gonzalez-Aleman, Chia-Ying Lee, Mario Marcello Miglietta, Claudia Pasquero, Alice Portal, Hamish Ramsay, and Romualdo Romero

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Short summary
Storms strongly resembling hurricanes are sometime observed to form well outside the tropics, even in polar latitudes. They behave capriciously, developing very rapidly and then dying just as quickly. We show that strong dynamical processes in the atmosphere can sometimes cause it to become locally much colder than the underlying ocean, creating the conditions for hurricanes to form, but only over small areas and for short times. We call the resulting storms "cyclops".