A Comprehensive Analysis of Hurricane Lane's (2018) Intensity

Abstract: Tropical cyclone reconnaissance data, such as that of Hurricane Lane, often exhibits discrepancies between flight-level wind measurements and SFMR data, leading to uncertainty in determining peak intensity. In this study, I analyze Hurricane Lane's recon data alongside similar cases like Hurricane Dorian (2019), Hurricane Felix (2007), and Hurricane Matthew (2016). By integrating flight-level wind data, SFMR observations, dropsonde data, microwave and satellite imagery, I propose a refined flight-level to surface wind conversion factor of 0.97, contrasting with the commonly used value of 0.9. My analysis suggests a peak intensity of 145 knots maximum sustained wind (MSW) and a minimum sea level pressure (MSLP) of 926 hPa for Hurricane Lane. I also examine how certain features of tropical cyclones can influence reconnaissance data output and infer potential weaknesses in the storm structure. My findings underscore the importance of comprehensive analysis in improving the reliability of reconnaissance instruments and understanding tropical cyclone behavior.