[article] 
Tropical Cyclone Initialization with Dynamical Retrieval from a Modified UWPBL Model
Available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.2151/jmsj.2010-504
Lei-Ming Ma ; Zhe-Min Tan
in Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan >
Vol.88 No.5 (October 2010) . - p.827-846
A new scheme, termed Vortex Initialization with the Assimilation of Retrieved Variables (VIRV), is presented to improve the initialization of regional numerical model for Tropical Cyclone (TC) prediction. In this scheme, the horizontal winds in Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) and the sea level pressure (SLP), retrieved from Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) data obtained using a modified University of Washington Planetary Boundary Layer (UWPBL) model, are assimilated with a cycled three-dimensional variational (3DVAR) technique to produce the initialized analysis. The procedures of retrieval are implemented under the joint dynamical constraints of the gradient wind, secondary circulation, and thermal stratification. Moreover, in order to improve the analysis of TC intensity, the roughness parameterization in the UWPBL model was modified for the case of strong surface wind. The sensitivities of the structure, intensity, and track of TC to the VIRV are then examined by two numerical experiments for TC Bilis (2006) and TC Fung-wong (2008).
The maximum Wind Speed (MWS) and minimum Sea Level Pressure (MSLP) retrieved from the QuikSCAT data obtained using the modified UWPBL model show more agreement with the observations relative to those derived from the analysis of the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP global model). The analysis of TC intensity cfm enhanced using VIRV by modifying the low-level (upper-level) convergence (divergence), vertical shear of horizontal wind, transportation of moisture. Significant improvement on 48-h TC simulation is identified in the MWS, with 22.8% error reduction. In particular, the Modification of Roughness Parameterization (MRP) enhanced the simulation of MWS by 6.9%. Finally, the VIRV also reduces the simulation error in the track of TC by affecting the steering flow throughout the troposphere.
Language(s): English; Other Languages: Japanese
Format: Digital (Free), Hard copyTags: Tropical cyclone ; Modelling ; Observations ; Natural hazards ; Numerical simulation ; Japan 
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