Analysis and High-Resolution Modeling of Tropical Cyclogenesis During the TCS-08 and TPARC Field Campaign

The long-term goal of this project is to improve the prediction of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis, structure and intensity changes through improved understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved. The accurate prediction of TC genesis, structure and intensity changes is critical to Navy missions and civilian activities in coastal areas. Significant gains have been made in the TC track prediction over the past decades. The genesis and intensity forecast, however, has shown very little progress during the same period. A main factor contributing to the lack of skill in the prediction of TC genesis and intensity is the lack of observations prior to and during TC genesis and intensification periods and the inadequate understanding of physical mechanisms that control the cyclogenesis and intensity change. The TCS-08 and TPARC field campaign provide an unprecedented opportunity for us to gain the first-hand insight of observed characteristics of TC genesis in western Pacific and to compare them with high-resolution model simulations. By analyzing and assimilating these data, we intend to understand the physical mechanisms that involve the TC internal dynamic and thermodynamic processes, external forcing, and scale interactions. Only after thoroughly understanding these processes, can one be able to tackle the weaknesses in the current state-of-art weather forecast models.