Super Typhoons Simulation: A Comparison of WRF and Empirical Parameterized Models for High Wind Speeds

As extreme forms of tropical cyclones (TCs), typhoons pose significant threats to both human society and the natural environment. To better understand and predict their behavior, scientists have relied on numerical simulations. Current typhoon modeling primarily falls into two categories: (1) comple...

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Main Authors: Haihua Fu, Yan Wang, Yanshuang Xie, Chenghan Luo, Shaoping Shang, Zhigang He, Guomei Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/776
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author Haihua Fu
Yan Wang
Yanshuang Xie
Chenghan Luo
Shaoping Shang
Zhigang He
Guomei Wei
author_facet Haihua Fu
Yan Wang
Yanshuang Xie
Chenghan Luo
Shaoping Shang
Zhigang He
Guomei Wei
author_sort Haihua Fu
collection DOAJ
description As extreme forms of tropical cyclones (TCs), typhoons pose significant threats to both human society and the natural environment. To better understand and predict their behavior, scientists have relied on numerical simulations. Current typhoon modeling primarily falls into two categories: (1) complex simulations based on fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, and (2) empirical parameterized models. Most comparative studies on these models have focused on wind speed below 50 m/s, with fewer studies addressing high wind speed (above 50 m/s). In this study, we design and compare four different simulation approaches to model two super typhoons: Typhoon Surigae (2102) and Typhoon Nepartak (1601). These approaches include: (1) The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulation driven by NCEP Final Operational Global Analysis data (FNL), (2) WRF simulation driven by the fifth generation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis data (ERA5), (3) the empirical parameterized Holland model, and (4) the empirical parameterized Jelesnianski model. The simulated wind fields were compared with the measured wind data from The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) platform, and the resulting wind fields were then used as inputs for the Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) model to simulate typhoon-induced waves. Our findings are as follows: (1) for high wind speeds, the performance of the empirical models surpasses that of the WRF simulations; (2) using more accurate driving wind data improves the WRF model’s performance in simulating typhoon wind speeds, and WRF simulations excel in representing wind fields in the outer regions of the typhoon; (3) careful adjustment of the maximum wind speed radius parameter is essential for improving the accuracy of the empirical models.
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spelling doaj-art-e91957995ed64b7b97c98d37dc316f942025-01-24T13:20:46ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115277610.3390/app15020776Super Typhoons Simulation: A Comparison of WRF and Empirical Parameterized Models for High Wind SpeedsHaihua Fu0Yan Wang1Yanshuang Xie2Chenghan Luo3Shaoping Shang4Zhigang He5Guomei Wei6College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaCollege of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaCollege of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaCollege of Physics & Electronic Information Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, ChinaCollege of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaCollege of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaCollege of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaAs extreme forms of tropical cyclones (TCs), typhoons pose significant threats to both human society and the natural environment. To better understand and predict their behavior, scientists have relied on numerical simulations. Current typhoon modeling primarily falls into two categories: (1) complex simulations based on fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, and (2) empirical parameterized models. Most comparative studies on these models have focused on wind speed below 50 m/s, with fewer studies addressing high wind speed (above 50 m/s). In this study, we design and compare four different simulation approaches to model two super typhoons: Typhoon Surigae (2102) and Typhoon Nepartak (1601). These approaches include: (1) The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulation driven by NCEP Final Operational Global Analysis data (FNL), (2) WRF simulation driven by the fifth generation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis data (ERA5), (3) the empirical parameterized Holland model, and (4) the empirical parameterized Jelesnianski model. The simulated wind fields were compared with the measured wind data from The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) platform, and the resulting wind fields were then used as inputs for the Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) model to simulate typhoon-induced waves. Our findings are as follows: (1) for high wind speeds, the performance of the empirical models surpasses that of the WRF simulations; (2) using more accurate driving wind data improves the WRF model’s performance in simulating typhoon wind speeds, and WRF simulations excel in representing wind fields in the outer regions of the typhoon; (3) careful adjustment of the maximum wind speed radius parameter is essential for improving the accuracy of the empirical models.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/776WRFHolland modelJelesnianski modelSWANtyphoon simulation
spellingShingle Haihua Fu
Yan Wang
Yanshuang Xie
Chenghan Luo
Shaoping Shang
Zhigang He
Guomei Wei
Super Typhoons Simulation: A Comparison of WRF and Empirical Parameterized Models for High Wind Speeds
Applied Sciences
WRF
Holland model
Jelesnianski model
SWAN
typhoon simulation
title Super Typhoons Simulation: A Comparison of WRF and Empirical Parameterized Models for High Wind Speeds
title_full Super Typhoons Simulation: A Comparison of WRF and Empirical Parameterized Models for High Wind Speeds
title_fullStr Super Typhoons Simulation: A Comparison of WRF and Empirical Parameterized Models for High Wind Speeds
title_full_unstemmed Super Typhoons Simulation: A Comparison of WRF and Empirical Parameterized Models for High Wind Speeds
title_short Super Typhoons Simulation: A Comparison of WRF and Empirical Parameterized Models for High Wind Speeds
title_sort super typhoons simulation a comparison of wrf and empirical parameterized models for high wind speeds
topic WRF
Holland model
Jelesnianski model
SWAN
typhoon simulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/776
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