| Summary: | Ocean wave characteristics in the western Atlantic Ocean (Hurricane Region) to tropical cyclones have been well identified, but not the regional seas in the western Pacific, e.g., the South China Sea (Typhoon Region). This is due to the lack of observational and modeling studies in the regional seas of the western Pacific. To fill this gap, Wavewatch-III (WW3) is used to study the response of the South China Sea (SCS) to Typhoon Muifa (2004). The major purposes are to find the similarity and dissimilarity of wave characteristics between the two regions, and to evaluate the WW3 capability to typhoon forcing. The WW3 model is integrated from the JONSWAP wave spectra with a tropical cyclone wind profile model, simulating Typhoon Muifa, from 16 to 25 November 2004. This study shows strong similarities in the responses between Hurricane and Typhoon Regions, including strong asymmetry in the significant wave height (Hs) along the typhoon translation track with the maximum Hs in the right-front quadrant of the typhoon center, and asymmetry in the directional wave spectra at different locations (frontward, backward, rightward, and leftward) around the typhoon center. The unique features of the SCS wave characteristics to Muifa are also discussed.
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