Evaluation of the Surface Wind Field over Land in WRF Simulations of Hurricane Wilma (2005). Part II: Surface Winds, Inflow Angles, and Boundary Layer Profiles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Nolan ◽  
Brian D. McNoldy ◽  
Jimmy Yunge ◽  
Forrest J. Masters ◽  
Ian M. Giammanco
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Field ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Storm Track ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Hurricane Wilma ◽  
Wind Events

AbstractThis is the second of a two-part study that explores the capabilities of a mesoscale atmospheric model to reproduce the near-surface wind fields in hurricanes over land. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) is used with two planetary boundary layer parameterizations: the Yonsei University (YSU) and the Mellor-Yamada-Janjić (MYJ) schemes. The first part presented the modeling framework and initial conditions used to produce simulations of Hurricane Wilma (2005) that closely reproduced the track, intensity, and size of its wind field as it passed over South Florida. This part explores how well these simulations can reproduce the winds at fixed points over land by making comparisons to observations from airports and research weather stations. The results show that peak wind speeds are remarkably well reproduced at several locations. Wind directions are evaluated in terms of the inflow angle relative to the storm center, and the simulated inflow angles are generally smaller than observed. Localized peak wind events are associated with vertical vorticity maxima in the boundary layer with horizontal scales of 5-10 km. The boundary layer winds are compared to wind profiles obtained by velocity-azimuth display (VAD) analyses from National Weather Service Doppler radars at Miami and Key West; results from these comparisons are mixed. Nonetheless the comparisons to surface observations suggest that when short-term hurricane forecasts can sufficiently predict storm track, intensity, and size, they will also be able to provide useful information on extreme winds at locations of interest.

Evaluation of the Surface Wind Field over Land in WRF Simulations of Hurricane Wilma (2005). Part I: Model Initialization and Simulation Validation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Nolan ◽  
Brian D. McNoldy ◽  
Jimmy Yunge
Keyword(s):  
Wind Field ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Hurricane Wilma ◽  
Wind Analysis ◽  
Forecasting System

AbstractWhile global and regional dynamical models are used to predict the tracks and intensities of hurricanes over the ocean, these models are not currently used to predict the wind field and other impacts over land. This two-part study performs detailed evaluations of the near-surface, over-land wind fields produced in simulations of Hurricane Wilma (2005) as it traveled across South Florida. This first part describes the production of two high-resolution simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF), using different boundary layer parameterizations available in WRF: the Mellor-Yamada-Janjić (MYJ) scheme and the Yonsei University (YSU) scheme. Initial conditions from the Global Forecasting System (GFS) are manipulated with a vortex bogussing technique to modify the initial intensity, size, and location of the cyclone. It is found possible through trial and error to successfully produce simulations using both the YSU and MYJ schemes that closely reproduce the track, intensity, and size of Wilma at landfall. For both schemes the storm size and structure also show good agreement with the wind fields diagnosed by H*WIND and the Tropical Cyclone Surface Wind Analysis (TCSWA). Both over water and over land, the YSU scheme has stronger winds over larger areas than MYJ, but the surface winds are more reduced in areas of greater surface roughness, particularly in urban areas. Both schemes produced very similar inflow angles over land and water. The over-land wind fields are examined in more detail in the second part of this study.

Choosing a Boundary Layer Parameterization for Tropical Cyclone Modeling

2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
pp. 1427-1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Kepert
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Informed Choice ◽  
Difficult Problem ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Closure Scheme ◽  
Boundary Layer Scheme ◽  
Simplified Modeling

Abstract The boundary layer in a tropical cyclone is in some respects unlike that elsewhere in the atmosphere. It is therefore necessary to evaluate boundary layer parameterizations for their suitability for use in tropical cyclone simulation. Previous work has shown substantial sensitivity to the choice of scheme and identified specific shortcomings in some schemes, but without recommending which schemes are most suitable. Here, several schemes, representative of those available in popular modeling systems, are reviewed and applied in a simplified modeling framework. Based on a comparison with observations and on theoretical grounds, one popular class of schemes is shown to be badly flawed in that it incorrectly predicts the near-surface wind profile, and therefore should not be used. Another is shown to be sensitive to diagnosis of the boundary layer depth, a difficult problem in the core of the tropical cyclone, and caution is advised. The Louis boundary layer scheme and a higher-order closure scheme are, so far as can be discerned, without major problems, and are recommended. The recommendations and discussion herein should help users make a more informed choice of boundary layer parameterization, and to better understand the results that they obtain.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities with New Generation Geostationary Meteorological Satellite Datasets for Analyses and Initial Conditions for Forecasting Hurricane Irma (2017) Rapid Intensification Event

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1200
Author(s):  
Russell L. Elsberry ◽  
Joel W. Feldmeier ◽  
Hway-Jen Chen ◽  
Melinda Peng ◽  
Christopher S. Velden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Field ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Motion Vector ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Rapid Intensification ◽  
Constant Intensity ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Tc Model ◽  
Hurricane Irma ◽  
Better Than

This study utilizes an extremely high spatial resolution GOES-16 atmospheric motion vector (AMV) dataset processed at 15 min intervals in a modified version of our original dynamic initialization technique to analyze and forecast a rapid intensification (RI) event in Hurricane Irma (2017). The most important modifications are a more time-efficient dynamic initialization technique and adding a near-surface wind field adjustment as a low-level constraint on the distribution of deep convection relative to the translating center. With the new technique, the Coupled Ocean/Atmospheric Mesoscale Prediction System for Tropical Cyclones (COAMPS-TC) model initial wind field at 12.86 km elevation quickly adjusts to the cirrus-level GOES-16 AMVs to better detect the Irma outflow magnitude and areal extent every 15 min, and predicts direct connections to adjacent synoptic circulations much better than a dynamic initialization with only lower-resolution hourly GOES-13 AMVs and also better than a cold-start COAMPS-TC initialization with a bogus vortex. Furthermore, only with the GOES-16 AMVs does the COAMPS-TC model accurately predict the timing of an intermediate 12 h constant-intensity period between two segments of the Irma RI. By comparison, HWRF model study of the Irma case that utilized the same GOES-16 AMV dataset predicted a continuous RI without the intermediate constant-intensity period, and predicted more limited outflow areal extents without strong direct connections with adjacent synoptic circulations.

scholarly journals An Observational Study of Hurricane Boundary Layer Small-Scale Coherent Structures

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (8) ◽  
pp. 2871-2893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Lorsolo ◽  
John L. Schroeder ◽  
Peter Dodge ◽  
Frank Marks
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Wind Field ◽  
Relative Frequency ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Hurricane Boundary Layer ◽  
Surface Wind Field

Abstract Data with high temporal and spatial resolution from Hurricanes Isabel (2003) and Frances (2004) were analyzed to provide a detailed study of near-surface linear structures with subkilometer wavelengths of the hurricane boundary layer (HBL). The analysis showed that the features were omnipresent throughout the data collection, displayed a horizontal and vertical coherency, and maintained an average orientation of 7° left of the low-level wind. A unique objective wavelength analysis was conducted, where wavelength was defined as the distance between two wind maxima or minima perpendicular to the features’ long axis, and revealed that although wavelengths as large as 1400 m were observed, the majority of the features had wavelengths between 200 and 650 m. The assessed wavelengths differ from those documented in a recent observational study. To evaluate the correlation between the features and the underlying near-surface wind field, time and spectral analyses were completed and ground-relative frequency distributions of the features were retrieved. High-energy regions of the power spectral density (PSD) determined from near-surface data were collocated with the features’ ground-relative frequency, illustrating that the features have an influence on the near-surface wind field. The additional energy found in the low-frequency range of the PSDs was previously identified as characteristic of the hurricane surface flow, suggesting that the features are an integral component of the HBL flow.

The Evolution of Asymmetries in the Tropical Cyclone Boundary Layer Wind Field during Landfall

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Wind Field ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Frictional Stress ◽  
Homogeneous Surface ◽  
Sudden Decrease ◽  
The Right ◽  
Tropical Cyclone Boundary Layer

Abstract The evolution of the tropical cyclone boundary layer (TCBL) wind field before landfall is examined in this study. As noted in previous studies, a typical TCBL wind structure over the ocean features a supergradient boundary layer jet to the left of motion and Earth-relative maximum winds to the right. However, the detailed response of the wind field to frictional convergence at the coastline is less well known. Here, idealized numerical simulations reveal an increase in the offshore radial and vertical velocities beginning once the TC is roughly 200 km offshore. This increase in the radial velocity is attributed to the sudden decrease in frictional stress once the highly agradient flow crosses the offshore coastline. Enhanced advection of angular momentum by the secondary circulation forces a strengthening of the supergradient jet near the top of the TCBL. Sensitivity experiments reveal that the coastal roughness discontinuity dominates the friction asymmetry due to motion. Additionally, increasing the inland roughness through increasing the aerodynamic roughness length enhances the observed asymmetries. Lastly, a brief analysis of in-situ surface wind data collected during the landfall of three Gulf of Mexico hurricanes is provided and compared to the idealized simulations. Despite the limited in-situ data, the observations generally support the simulations. The results here imply that assumptions about the TCBL wind field based on observations from over horizontally-homogeneous surface types - which have been well-documented by previous studies - are inappropriate for use near strong frictional heterogeneity.

A New Time-dependent Theory of Tropical Cyclone Intensification

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqing Wang ◽  
Yuanlong Li ◽  
Jing Xu
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Quasi Equilibrium ◽  
Free Atmosphere ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Tangential Wind

AbstractIn this study, the boundary-layer tangential wind budget equation following the radius of maximum wind, together with an assumed thermodynamical quasi-equilibrium boundary layer is used to derive a new equation for tropical cyclone (TC) intensification rate (IR). A TC is assumed to be axisymmetric in thermal wind balance with eyewall convection becoming in moist slantwise neutrality in the free atmosphere above the boundary layer as the storm intensifies as found recently based on idealized numerical simulations. An ad-hoc parameter is introduced to measure the degree of congruence of the absolute angular momentum and the entropy surfaces. The new IR equation is evaluated using results from idealized ensemble full-physics axisymmetric numerical simulations. Results show that the new IR equation can reproduce the time evolution of the simulated TC intensity. The new IR equation indicates a strong dependence of IR on both TC intensity and the corresponding maximum potential intensity (MPI). A new finding is the dependence of TC IR on the square of the MPI in terms of the near-surface wind speed for any given relative intensity. Results from some numerical integrations of the new IR equation also suggest the finite-amplitude nature of TC genesis. In addition, the new IR theory is also supported by some preliminary results based on best-track TC data over the North Atlantic and eastern and western North Pacific. Compared with the available time-dependent theories of TC intensification, the new IR equation can provide a realistic intensity-dependent IR during weak intensity stage as in observations.

scholarly journals An Analysis of the Physical Characteristics of the Summer Low Atmosphere in the Gobi Desert Adjacent to Bosten Lake, Xinjiang, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Xuejin Sun ◽  
Hui Ning ◽  
Hongcai Qin ◽  
Jiuquan Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Gobi Desert ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Desert Area ◽  
Local Circulation ◽  
Bosten Lake ◽  
Near Surface

A month-long field observation campaign was conducted, which covered approximately 100 km2 of the Gobi Desert area on the southeast bank of Bosten Lake during the summer of 2016. The purpose of the study was to examine the physical characteristics of the low atmosphere over land-lake nonuniform underlying surfaces in the Gobi Desert of northwestern China. The results of the statistical analysis showed that, during the observational period, the average daytime surface horizontal thermal gradient reached up to −0.2°C/km from the lakeshore to southern Gobi Desert area. The near-surface wind field of the 7 km horizontal extent from the lakeshore was dominated by onshore breezes with average peak wind speeds above 5 m/s. In the atmospheric near-surface layer, an isohumidity layer at a height between 10 and 50 m a.g.l. was observed from 11:00 to 18:00 LST. Also, a case study for the atmospheric boundary layer and local circulation analyses was conducted. The onshore breezes were found to play a major role in the vertical structure of the local atmospheric boundary layer. The numerical simulation results indicated that there was an alternating day-night local circulation in the Bosten Lake area.

The Effects of Vertical Stratification and Land Use Data on Numerical Simulation of Wind Energy Resources

2014 ◽  
Vol 535 ◽  
pp. 135-140
Author(s):  
Yuan Chang Deng ◽  
Zhen Cao Zou
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Wind Field ◽  
Wind Profile ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Vertical Stratification ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Wind Field Simulation ◽  
Surface Wind Field

By adjusting the distribution of vertical layers and increasing its number in WRF model, this paper mainly studies the effects of vertical stratification on the near surface wind field and vertical profile simulation. The test outcomes show that moderately increasing vertical layers can effectively improve the near surface wind field simulation results, while it has little influence on the numeral and changing trend of high vertical wind profile. Considering both accuracy and efficiency, it is recommended to set 10~15 layers below 300m. On the basis of this research, instead of USGS data by using the MODIS_30S data, the data underlying surface land in Shenzhen and HK area are updated. Comparative results between the two schemes, due to the roughness and drag coefficient of difference types of surface are not identical; the surface data has a significant impact on wind field and wind profile simulation. Using the MODIS land use data which is more consistent with the actual situation can improve the accuracy of numerical simulation.

scholarly journals Parameterization of convective transport in the boundary layer and its impact on the representation of the diurnal cycle of wind and dust emissions

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 6775-6788 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Hourdin ◽  
M. Gueye ◽  
B. Diallo ◽  
J.-L. Dufresne ◽  
J. Escribano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Diurnal Cycle ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Convective Transport ◽  
Strong Nonlinearity ◽  
Thermal Plumes ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Dust Emissions

Abstract. We investigate how the representation of the boundary layer in a climate model impacts the representation of the near-surface wind and dust emission, with a focus on the Sahel/Sahara region. We show that the combination of vertical turbulent diffusion with a representation of the thermal cells of the convective boundary layer by a mass flux scheme leads to realistic representation of the diurnal cycle of wind in spring, with a maximum near-surface wind in the morning. This maximum occurs when the thermal plumes reach the low-level jet that forms during the night at a few hundred meters above surface. The horizontal momentum in the jet is transported downward to the surface by compensating subsidence around thermal plumes in typically less than 1 h. This leads to a rapid increase of wind speed at surface and therefore of dust emissions owing to the strong nonlinearity of emission laws. The numerical experiments are performed with a zoomed and nudged configuration of the LMDZ general circulation model coupled to the emission module of the CHIMERE chemistry transport model, in which winds are relaxed toward that of the ERA-Interim reanalyses. The new set of parameterizations leads to a strong improvement of the representation of the diurnal cycle of wind when compared to a previous version of LMDZ as well as to the reanalyses used for nudging themselves. It also generates dust emissions in better agreement with current estimates, but the aerosol optical thickness is still significantly underestimated.

scholarly journals Examination of WRF-ARW Experiments Using Different Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterizations to Study the Rapid Intensification and Trajectory of Hurricane Otto (2016)

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1317
Author(s):  
Tito Maldonado ◽  
Jorge A. Amador ◽  
Erick R. Rivera ◽  
Hugo G. Hidalgo ◽  
Eric J. Alfaro
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Planetary Boundary Layer ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Regional Model ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Rapid Intensification ◽  
Medium Range Forecast ◽  
Meteorological Features

Hurricane Otto (2016) was characterised by remarkable meteorological features of relevance for the scientific community and society. Scientifically, among the most important attributes of Otto is that it underwent a rapid intensification (RI) process. For society, this cyclone severely impacted Costa Rica and Nicaragua, leaving enormous economic losses and many fatalities. In this study, a set of three numerical simulations are performed to examine the skill of model estimations in reproducing RI and trajectory of Hurricane Otto by comparing the results of a global model to a regional model using three different planetary boundary layer parameterizations (PBL). The objective is to set the basis for future studies that analyse the physical reasons why a particular simulation (associated with a certain model setup) performs better than others in terms of reproducing RI and trajectory. We use the regional model Weather Research and Forecasting—Advanced Research WRF (WRF-ARW) with boundary and initial conditions provided by the Global Forecast System (GFS) analysis (horizontal resolution of 0.5 degrees). The PBL used are the Medium Range Forecast, the Mellor-Yamada-Janjic (MYJ), and the Yonsei University (YSU) parameterizations. The regional model is run in three static domains with horizontal grid spacing of 27, 9 and 3 km, the latter covering the spacial extent of Otto during the simulation period. WRF-ARW results improve the GFS forecast, in almost every aspect evaluated in this study, particularly, the simulated trajectories in WRF-ARW show a better representation of the cyclone path and movement compared to GFS. Even though the MYJ experiment was the only one that exhibited an abrupt 24-h change in the storm’s surface wind, close to the 25-knot threshold, the YSU scheme presented the fastest intensification, closest to reality.

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