How does lifetime of a cyclone affect: precipitation and intensity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the lifetime of extratropical cyclones in the Northern Atlantic and their effects on precipitation and intensity. Participants explore whether longer lifetimes correlate with increased total precipitation, precipitation intensity, and cyclone intensity, particularly focusing on cyclones over water.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire if longer lifetimes of extratropical cyclones lead to increased total precipitation and intensity, seeking reliable research to support these claims.
  • One participant emphasizes that the total precipitation generated by a cyclone is influenced by its duration, suggesting that a cyclone lasting longer will produce more total rainfall if it maintains a consistent rate of precipitation.
  • Another participant argues that the relationship is more complex, noting that longer lifetimes may expose cyclones to factors that can weaken them, potentially affecting precipitation intensity.
  • A participant references a specific calculation method for estimating possible rainfall based on cyclone speed, using Hurricane Harvey as an example, but does not assert a definitive conclusion regarding intensity.
  • There is a question about the definition of "lifetime," with some participants seeking clarification on whether it refers to time over water or land.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of cyclone lifetime on precipitation and intensity, with no consensus reached on the overall relationship or the effects of longer lifetimes.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the factors influencing cyclone behavior, including the potential for weakening over time and the need for precise definitions of terms like "lifetime."

Imolopa
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When the total lifetime of an extratropical cyclone over the ocean in the Northern Atlantic-region gets longer (within the same season):
- Do the total precipitation sums increase?
- Does the precipitation intensities increase?
- Does the intensity of the cyclone increase?

For example what would be the differences between a cyclone that lasts one or two days in total in winter versus a cyclone that lasts nine days in total in winter (both over water)?

Any reliable research or research institution/organization that mention this/published research article mentioning/backing up this claim?
 
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Imolopa said:
Do extratropical cyclones become more intense in the Northern Atlantic and bring more precipitation when their lifetime (of the individual cyclone) is longer within the same season?

Any reliable research or research institution/organization that mention this/published research article mentioning/backing up this claim?
I'm having trouble understanding your question (and your thread title). What do you mean by "lifetime" of a cyclone? Time over water (gaining energy) or time over land (losing energy)? Can you use "Sandy" as an example to illustrate your question? Thanks.
 
berkeman said:
I'm having trouble understanding your question (and your thread title). What do you mean by "lifetime" of a cyclone? Time over water (gaining energy) or time over land (losing energy)? Can you use "Sandy" as an example to illustrate your question? Thanks.

Thanks for the input! I editted the main question now to make it clearer. Yes I mean time over water.
 
For a typical cyclone or just any low pressure system really,
The total amount of precipitation it generates will be the result of many factors.
The amount of time it exists for will certainly be one of the most significant factors.
A cyclone which is producing say 5cm per day average rainfall is clearly going to produce more rainfall total if it lasts for ten days days than it will if it lasts for six days.
 
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I think it is more complex than that, because the longer a cyclone lives the more it is also exposed to
things that can tear it apart.
From what I have seen precipitation intensities does not increase,
(thank goodness it is bad enough already). They calculated the possible rainfall totals for Hurricane Harvey,
the Friday before the storm moved over the Houston area, based on the speed of the storm.
100/speed of the storm in miles per hour=possible rainfall
In Harvey's case 100/2 miles per hour=50 inches of rain.
Technically I only measured 48 inches at my house, but there was some error in my measurements.
This same rule of thumb applies to storms that took 10 days to cross the Atlantic and Tropical storms that formed a few days before.
 
Imolopa said:
When the total lifetime of an extratropical cyclone over the ocean in the Northern Atlantic-region gets longer (within the same season):
Extratropical cyclones or cold core cyclones are essentially low pressure frontal systems.
Do you mean tropical cyclones?
 

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