The Diurnal Cycle of Precipitation in Tropical Cyclones

• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-14-00804.1
• Publication Date: 2015-04-08T18:36:46Z
• Authors: Kenneth P. Bowman; Megan D. Fowler
• Keywords: Diurnal cycle; Diurnal temperature variation

Abstract Position and intensity data from the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) are combined with global, gridded precipitation estimates Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) period 1998–2013 to study diurnal cycle of in tropical cyclones. The comprehensive global coverage large sample size afforded by two datasets allow robust statistical analysis storm-averaged variations permit stratification various ways. There is a clearly detectable variation cyclones peak rainfall occurring near 0600 local time. For storms all intensities amplitude harmonic, which dominates cycle, approximately 7% mean rain rate. This corresponds peak-to-peak about 15% over course day. similar ocean basins. evidence that increases increasing storm intensity, but results not statistically significant. have implications hurricane forecasting greater understanding processes regulate oceanic convection.