Using Satellite Observations to Evaluate the Relationships between Ice Condensate, Latent Heat Release, and Tropical Cyclone Intensification in a Mesoscale Model

Abstract This study examines the relationship between frozen hydrometeors and latent heating in model simulations evaluates capability of Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) Model to reproduce observed their tropical cyclone (TC) intensification. Previous modeling studies have emphasized importance both amount location modulating evolution TC intensity. However, lack observations limits a full understanding its real atmosphere. Idealized using WRF indicate that is strongly correlated ice water content, suggesting content can serve as an observable proxy for heat release mid- upper troposphere. Based on this result, satellite are used create storm-centered composites path function The reasonably captures vertical horizontal distribution dependence upon intensity, with differences typically less than 20%. also signature increased intensifying TCs, provide useful diagnostic evaluating