The vertical coupling and movement of an adiabatic baroclinic tropical cycl
one (TC) are investigated through two numerical experiments in which the TC
is affected by either a vertical environmental shear or a differential bet
a drift. In both cases, the initial response of the symmetric vortex is to
tilt in the vertical. In response to the vertical tilt, a three-dimensional
asymmetric circulation with a typical radius of 100 km develops within the
TC core region. In addition, the wavenumber-one potential vorticity (PV) a
nomalies develop with positive anomalies downtilt (uptilt) above (below) th
e maximum PV level in order to maintain a balanced state between the therma
l and dynamical fields. On a beta plane, in contrast to the beta gyres, the
mesoscale asymmetric circulation is a pair of counterrotating inner gyres
centered at the radius of maximum wind. As a result, the resulting three-di
mensional mesoscale asymmetric circulation, not the penetration flow, plays
an important role in the vertical coupling of adiabatic baroclinic vortice
s. In both cases, the TC motion is not simply due to the advection of the s
ymmetric PV component by the asymmetric (ventilation) flow. The horizontal
advection of the asymmetric PV anomalies by the symmetric cyclonic flow and
the vertical PV advection associated with the asymmetric vertical motion a
lso considerably contribute to the TC motion. The latter two processes also
play a critical role in the vertical coupling of the baroclinic TC due to
the presence of the vertical PV gradient.