Appraisal of recent theories to understand cyclogenesis pathways of tropical cyclone Madi (2013)

The present study aims to examine the new understanding of cyclogenesis by analyzing the genesis sequence of formation of a very severe cyclonic storm Madi (6–13 December 2013) that occurred over the Bay of Bengal. We have generated a high‐resolution (18 km, 6 km, and 2 km) analysis using three‐dimensional variational data assimilation technique and Weather Research and Forecasting model. The genesis sequence of Madi cyclone is analyzed using the concepts in the marsupial theory and other theories of tropical cyclone formation. Major results are as follows: the developed analysis is found useful for tracking the movement of westward moving parent disturbance from 15 days prior to the genesis; identifying developed pouch region in the Lagrangian frame of reference; understanding the evolution of the pouch and convection within the pouch region and for the study of intensification inside the pouch region. Also, large‐scale priming of environment concurs with the hypotheses of the marsupial theory of tropical cyclogenesis. The analysis of dynamical and thermodynamical processes within the pouch region showed gradual moistening, uplifting of moisture, diabatic heating causing buoyant convection in the vorticity‐rich environment followed by vortex tube stretching, development of convection, heavy precipitation, strengthening of lower level convergence, and hence spin‐up during a day or two preceding the genesis of Madi cyclone. In general, it is concluded that intensification within pouch region during the cyclogenesis phase followed the marsupial paradigm and bottom‐up mechanism. Key Points Our paper support marsupial paradigm and bottom‐top intensification cyclogenesis theory The increased low‐level convergence associated with sudden diabatic heating at lower levels Increase in relative vorticity, spin‐up, and warm core formation follows it inside pouch region