Characteristics of meteorological parameters associated with Hurricane Isabel

The present study focuses on the air-sea interactions associated with Hurricane Isabel, which landed on the east coast of the United States on September 18, 2003. Hurricane Isabel is considered to be one of the most significant and severe tropical cyclones, as it affected the entire east coast in many ways. We have analyzed various meteorological parameters associated with the hurricane in different stages such as evolution, intensification and landfall. Analysis of surface latent heat flux (SLHF) and precipitation rate (PR) associated with the hurricane, based on the categorization in different stages, is carried out. SLHF and PR increase anomalously prior to landfall as compared to when the hurricane was at its maximum intensity (category 5). Wind speed (WS) and rain-rate data from satellite observations show breakup of the eye-wall and asymmetric structure leading to increased precipitation prior to landfall.