Advanced model diagnostics of tropical cyclone inner-core structure using aircraft observations

Principal Investigator:

• Jun A. Zhang (HRD/- CIMAS)

Project Member:

• Robert F. Rogers (HRD)

David S. Nolan

This project was funded by NOAA Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project (HFIP) with Award number NA12NWS4680004.

The goal of this project is to evaluate model performance using diagnostic tools that will help improve the prediction of TC intensity by the operational HWRF model. This project has two main objectives:

1. To generate composites of multiple types of aircraft observations from HRD’s extensive aircraft database and model simulations.
2. To create metrics to quantitatively evaluate deficiencies and biases in the inner-core structure.

Zhang, J.A., S.G. Gopalakrishnan, F.D. Marks, R.F. Rogers, and V. Tallapragada, 2012: A developmental framework for improving hurricane model physical parameterization using aircraft observations. Trop. Cycl. Res. Rev., 1 (4):419-429.