1. It is well known that tropical cyclones degrade quickly upon making landfall

Question

1. It is well known that tropical cyclones degrade quickly upon making landfall due to a substantial decrease in the surface latent heat flux. However, this decrease in intensity is almost immediate, implying that there is another factor influencing the intensity of a tropical cyclone upon landfall. Incorporating dynamic principles, explain what could be causing this rapid decrease in intensity. Where does the kinetic energy go, and what ramifications might this have on surface and atmospheric conditions?

2. What is the maximum efficiency of a tropical cyclone if the average surface temperature is 90F and the average temperature at the top of the system is -105F?

Explanation / Answer

1. Tropical cyclones or hurricanes are mainly influenced by the circulation of upper level winds on large scale. Thus, large scale winds are the another factor influencing cyclone intensity as these winds make the hurricanes to drop intensity at rapid rate. Kinetic energy in cyclone indicates its destructive process. However, when a cyclone with low intensity cannot make such destructive events when it falls on land with low intensity.

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