Operational Perspectives on Tropical Cyclone Intensity Change Part 1: recent advances in intensity guidance

This review summarizes techniques used by operational centers to forecast tropical cyclone intensity change as presented to the International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones (IWTC-9) in Hawaii in 2018. Recent advances and major changes over the past four years are presented, with a special focus on fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joseph B. Courtney, Sébastien Langlade, Charles R. Sampson, John A. Knaff, Thomas Birchard, Stephen Barlow, S.D. Kotal, Tarik Kriat, Woojeong Lee, Richard Pasch, Udai Shimada
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2019-09-01
Series:Tropical Cyclone Research and Review
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225603219300694
Description
Summary:This review summarizes techniques used by operational centers to forecast tropical cyclone intensity change as presented to the International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones (IWTC-9) in Hawaii in 2018. Recent advances and major changes over the past four years are presented, with a special focus on forecasting rapid intensity changes. Although intensity change remains one of the most difficult aspects of tropical cyclone forecasting, objective guidance has shown some improvement. The greatest improvements are realized when consensus methods are utilized, especially those that blend statistical-dynamical based guidance with dynamical ocean-coupled regional models. These models become even more skillful when initialized with inner core observational data. Continued improvement and availability of intensity guidance along with associated forecaster training are expected to deliver forecasting improvements in the future. Keywords: tropical cyclone, intensity, change, rapid intensification
ISSN:2225-6032