Wind Speed Analysis Method within WRF-ARW Tropical Cyclone Modeling

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of a new method for retrieving the parameters of the atmospheric boundary layer in hurricanes. This method is based on the approximation of the upper parabolic part of the wind speed profile and the retrieval of the lower logarithmic part. Based on the logarithmic part, the friction velocity, near-surface wind speed and the aerodynamic drag coefficient are obtained. The obtained data are used for the verification of the modeling data in the WRF-ARW model. The case of the Irma hurricane is studied. Different configurations of the model are tested, which differ in the use of physical parameterizations. The difference of wind profiles in various sectors of the hurricane is studied.

Keywords

• hurricane wind speeds
• atmospheric model
• WRF
• GPS-dropsondes
• wind speed profiles
• verification