Tropical cyclones, with their conspicuous signatures on weather satellite images, pose a tremendous threat to human life and properties when they make landfalls. Our understanding of their genesis and evolution, however, is limited. One contributing factor to this limited understanding is the oceanic location of the tropical cyclones where routine meteorological observations are few. Through Professor Gray's conscientious effort, he has a unique collection of rawindsonde and aircraft reconnaissance data of the tropical cyclones in all ocean basins, spanning the last decade or two. Theoretical work and numerical simulations of tropical cyclones promote progress only after they meet observational evidence. Under this grant, Professor Gray will continue his observational studies of the formation, structure, change in intensity, and the tracks of tropical cyclones. Professor Gray is respected internationally for his contribution to the study of tropical cyclones. He is certainly well qualified to pursue the work.
