Dynamical Control of Rapid Tropical Cyclone Intensification by Environmental Shears

Improve our understanding of the physical processes by which (a) 3-D environmental shears, in particular the low-level meridional shear and upper-level vertical shear affect inner core structure and intensity, and (b) the mesoscale vortices, outer spiral rainbands, inner spiral rainbands, and the eyewall interact and affect TC development and intensity change. General questions to be addressed include: (a) How is the asymmetric structure generated in association with the environmental forcing? (b) How does the change of the structure affect TC intensity? (c) What are favorable environmental conditions for the tropical cyclone formation and rapid intensification in the western North Pacific? (d) How do changes in the environment control the movement and formation in the western North Pacific region?