Graphical Abstract

Schubert, W. H., C. J. Slocum, and R. K. Taft, 2016: Forced, balanced model of tropical cyclone intensification. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 94, 119-135.
https://doi.org/10.2151/jmsj.2016-007 Graphical Abstract with highlights

This study explores applications of the Salmon wave-vortex approximation to tropical cyclone intensification. The approximation can be used to describe flows with high Rossby number and low Froude number by providing analytic solutions to an elliptic problem.
Results from the two-region forced, balanced model show why topical cyclones can have long incubation times prior to rapid intensification and provide insight into the size of the mature vortex (Fig. 2).
Figure 6 shows results from the three-region forced, balanced model. Insight into the formation of hollow potential vorticity (PV) structures and the inward movement of angular momentum surfaces across the radius of maximum wind are provided.