Dynamics of hurricane motion

Abstract

Hurricane motion is discussed from the standpoint of the balance of angular momentum in each one of an array of cylindrical volumes located in different positions relative to the moving vortex. It is shown that the initial increase of angular momentum about a local vertical axis, which must take place when a hurricane moves through a region, is brought about by the transport of such angular momentum into the volume from the surroundings. This transport can be accomplished by either of two processes -vertical circulations or horizontal Eddy exchanges- or by some combination of both. The results of the present investigation reveal that horizontal exchange processes account almost entirely for the angular momentum transports associated with the motion of the mature hurricane. The asymmetries found in the distribution of the angular momentum transport around the hurricane cannot be explained in terms of simple concepts such as the "steering" of a circular vortez by a uniform current, but must be the reflection of a more complex mechanism cf hurricane motion. It is suggested that any theory of hurricane motion, in order to be considered valid, should be able to account for the observed asymmetries in the field of angular momentum transports around the hurricane.