A Simple Model for Predicting the Tropical Cyclone Radius of Maximum Wind from Outer Size
Abstract

The radius of maximum wind (Rmax) in a tropical cyclone governs the footprint of hazards, including damaging wind, surge, and rainfall. However,Rmaxis an inconstant quantity that is difficult to observe directly and is poorly resolved in reanalyses and climate models. In contrast, outer wind radii are much less sensitive to such issues. Here we present a simple empirical model for predictingRmaxfrom the radius of 34-kt (1 kt ≈ 0.51 m s−1) wind (R17.5 ms). The model only requires as input quantities that are routinely estimated operationally: maximum wind speed,R17.5 ms, and latitude. The form of the empirical model takes advantage of our physical understanding of tropical cyclone radial structure and is trained on the Extended Best Track database from the North Atlantic 2004–20. Results are similar for the TC-OBS database. The physics reduces the relationship between the two radii to a dependence on two physical parameters, while the observational data enables an optimal estimate of the quantitative dependence on those parameters. The model performs substantially better than existing operational methods for estimatingRmax. The model reproduces the observed statistical increase inRmaxwith latitude and demonstrates that this increase is driven by the increase inR17.5 mswith latitude. Overall, the model offers a simple and fast more »

Significance Statement

If we can better predict the area of strong winds in a tropical cyclone, we can better prepare for its potential impacts. This work develops a simple model to predict the radius where the strongest winds in a tropical cyclone are located. The model is simple and fast and more accurate than existing models, and it also helps us to understand what causes this radius to vary in time, from storm to storm, and at different latitudes. It can be used in both operational forecasting and models of tropical cyclone hazard risk.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
NSF-PAR ID:
10367465
Journal Name:
Weather and Forecasting
Volume:
37
Issue:
5
Page Range or eLocation-ID:
p. 563-579
ISSN:
0882-8156
Publisher:
American Meteorological Society
National Science Foundation
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