Colorado State University

Research

Jonathan Martinez current and past research

Check Jonathan Martinez's Publication List

On the contributions of incipient vortex circulation and environmental moisture to tropical cyclone expansion

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Group Members: Jonathan Martinez , C. Chelsea Nam , Michael M. Bell

Idealized numerical simulations of tropical cyclones are created to investigate the relative contributions of incipient vortex circulation and environmental moisture to tropical cyclone expansion. The principal findings demonstrate that an initially large vortex can expand more quickly than its relatively smaller counterpart. Increasing the environmental moisture further promotes expansion but mostly expedites the intensification process. Differences in the amount and scale of outer-core convection are associated with varying the incipient vortex circulation, resulting in variable expansion rates. Note: This project was also funded by the National Science Foundation Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship Award 004863-00003.


On the nature and evolution of asymmetric structures during tropical cyclone rapid intensification

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Group Members: Jonathan Martinez , Michael M. Bell

Do asymmetries facilitate or interfere with tropical cyclone (TC) intensification? An idealized, high-resolution simulation of a rapidly intensifying TC is examined to assess asymmetric contributions to the intensification process. Scale-dependent contributions to the azimuthal-mean PV tendency reveal positive contributions from asymmetries that vary throughout the intensification period. Note: This project was also funded by the National Science Foundation Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship Award 004863-00003.