Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones
A comprehensive text and reference on tropical meteorology and hurricane science for graduate students and scholars

Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones provides readers with a firm grounding in the observations, theory, and modeling of tropical weather systems and tropical cyclones. How and why do tropical cyclones form? What physics underpins their genesis, intensification, structure, and power? This authoritative and accessible book tackles these and other questions, providing a unifying framework for understanding most tropical weather systems. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics and thermodynamics of the tropical atmosphere, developing a conceptual foundation through the application of key approximations such as the maintenance of moist adiabatic temperature profiles and critical gradients of density on isobaric surfaces by the Hadley and Walker circulations and monsoons. It treats latent heat release as a fast process that can be absorbed into the definition of entropy and locates the cause of circulations larger than squall lines in radiation and surface heat fluxes. Tested in the classroom, this is an ideal textbook for young scientists and an essential reference for seasoned practitioners.

  • Provides a comprehensive and quantitative entrée to tropical meteorology, offering a framework for understanding most tropical weather systems
  • Covers the Hadley and Walker circulations, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, monsoons, equatorial waves, easterly waves, squall lines, aggregated convection, and tropical cyclones
  • Includes challenge questions in every chapter and codes that run simple models of radiative-convective equilibrium, Hadley and monsoon circulations, linear equatorial models, and tropical cyclones
  • Prepares students to tackle important questions about the effects of climate change on hurricanes
  • An illustrations package is available for instructors
1147276179
Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones
A comprehensive text and reference on tropical meteorology and hurricane science for graduate students and scholars

Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones provides readers with a firm grounding in the observations, theory, and modeling of tropical weather systems and tropical cyclones. How and why do tropical cyclones form? What physics underpins their genesis, intensification, structure, and power? This authoritative and accessible book tackles these and other questions, providing a unifying framework for understanding most tropical weather systems. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics and thermodynamics of the tropical atmosphere, developing a conceptual foundation through the application of key approximations such as the maintenance of moist adiabatic temperature profiles and critical gradients of density on isobaric surfaces by the Hadley and Walker circulations and monsoons. It treats latent heat release as a fast process that can be absorbed into the definition of entropy and locates the cause of circulations larger than squall lines in radiation and surface heat fluxes. Tested in the classroom, this is an ideal textbook for young scientists and an essential reference for seasoned practitioners.

  • Provides a comprehensive and quantitative entrée to tropical meteorology, offering a framework for understanding most tropical weather systems
  • Covers the Hadley and Walker circulations, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, monsoons, equatorial waves, easterly waves, squall lines, aggregated convection, and tropical cyclones
  • Includes challenge questions in every chapter and codes that run simple models of radiative-convective equilibrium, Hadley and monsoon circulations, linear equatorial models, and tropical cyclones
  • Prepares students to tackle important questions about the effects of climate change on hurricanes
  • An illustrations package is available for instructors
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Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones

Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones

by Kerry Emanuel
Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones

Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones

by Kerry Emanuel

Hardcover

$120.00 
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    Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on April 14, 2026

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Overview

A comprehensive text and reference on tropical meteorology and hurricane science for graduate students and scholars

Physics of the Tropical Atmosphere and Tropical Cyclones provides readers with a firm grounding in the observations, theory, and modeling of tropical weather systems and tropical cyclones. How and why do tropical cyclones form? What physics underpins their genesis, intensification, structure, and power? This authoritative and accessible book tackles these and other questions, providing a unifying framework for understanding most tropical weather systems. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics and thermodynamics of the tropical atmosphere, developing a conceptual foundation through the application of key approximations such as the maintenance of moist adiabatic temperature profiles and critical gradients of density on isobaric surfaces by the Hadley and Walker circulations and monsoons. It treats latent heat release as a fast process that can be absorbed into the definition of entropy and locates the cause of circulations larger than squall lines in radiation and surface heat fluxes. Tested in the classroom, this is an ideal textbook for young scientists and an essential reference for seasoned practitioners.

  • Provides a comprehensive and quantitative entrée to tropical meteorology, offering a framework for understanding most tropical weather systems
  • Covers the Hadley and Walker circulations, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, monsoons, equatorial waves, easterly waves, squall lines, aggregated convection, and tropical cyclones
  • Includes challenge questions in every chapter and codes that run simple models of radiative-convective equilibrium, Hadley and monsoon circulations, linear equatorial models, and tropical cyclones
  • Prepares students to tackle important questions about the effects of climate change on hurricanes
  • An illustrations package is available for instructors

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780691168920
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication date: 04/14/2026
Pages: 672
Product dimensions: 8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Kerry Emanuel is the Cecil and Ida Green Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His books include Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes and What We Know About Climate Change.

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From the Publisher

“Emanuel provides graduate students and researchers a nice reference on tropical meteorology and tropical cyclones, featuring original insights and some of previously unpublished findings. This comprehensive and well-structured volume will be an essential resource for early-career scientists in our field for many years to come.”—Yuqing Wang, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

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