Surface Observations of Landfalling Hurricane Rainbands

Abstract

Abstract This study examines the rainband-scale fluctuations of various meteorological parameters for Hurricanes Bonnie (1998) and Dennis (1999). Hurricane rainbands, identified by Next Generation Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (NEXRAD WSR-88D) data, are examined shortly after making landfall on the North Carolina coastline. Additionally, Wind Engineering Mobile Instrumented Tower Experiment (WEMITE) data are exploited to provide a unique look into the surface structure of the captured rainbands. The observed meteorological data suggest equivalent potential temperature minima and decreasing hurricane-relative inflow to be commonly associated with intensifying or mature landfalling hurricane rainbands. Available vertical thermodynamic profiles suggest the source of the lower equivalent potential temperature air to range anywhere from 750 to 869 m above the surface, assuming no entrainment. Additionally, no discernable trend in wind speed is found to accompany the rainband’s passage.