Improved tropical cyclone track predictions using error recycling

Summary Errors produced by a nonlinear predictive scheme contain information about both the observations and the prediction system. Therefore, its error history would be expected to contribute to increasing the skill of the predictions if it is included in the forecast. In this study an error recycling procedure is developed for tropical cyclone track prediction. Errors are defined here as differences between the model forecast and the best track position. Error histories are incorporated into a nonlinear analogue, or simplex, forecast scheme and applied to tropical cyclone track prediction, using the archives of observed position data associated with the forecast errors. Various forecast experiments of the cyclone tracks are performed: standard simplex predictions using observed positions only; simplex predictions improved by error forecasts based on libraries of both observations and the recycled forecast errors; and, finally, predictions that include NWP-model forecasts and their errors as predictors. The resulting gains in skill of predictions out to 72 hours ahead are found to be substantial. Received August 12, 1999 Revised November 5, 1999     

Hurricane predictability: are there simple linear invariants within these complex nonlinear dynamical systems?

Summary Forecasting the tracks of hurricanes is a problem of immense importance. It is a major scientific exercise in solving the complicated set of mathematical equations that govern the behavior of atmospheric flow in general and hurricanes in particular. Moreover, hurricanes rank as the most devastating of all natural phenomena, in terms of loss of life and destruction of property. Hitherto, unlike many other atmospheric and oceanic systems, hurricanes have defied rapid advances in prediction of their motion, and progress has been of the order of a mere one percent or so reduction per annum in mean 48 hour forecast position errors over the past two decades. A research program aimed at estimating inherent and actual mean absolute forecast position errors, has produced an apparent paradox. Despite the fact that the equations governing hurricane motion are a complex, coupled, nonlinear set of dynamical equations, there is very strong evidence for the existence of an underlying simple, linear, invariant behavior. The original aim of the research program was to determine the lower limits of mean hurricane forecast position errors and to quantify them out to 72 hour leadtime. The appearance of the paradox meant that the focus shifted first to examining and explaining the paradox. Attention then turns to showing that the mean forecasts errors are still a very large 40 to 50 percent lower than the mean position errors currently being achieved in practice by state-of-the-art models numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Revised December 14, 1999     

Impact of vortex-removal from environmental flow in cyclone track prediction using Lagrangian advection model

In the present study, a new approach is discussed to find out the residual steering flow from the high-resolution global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model-forecasted wind fields, which have been used in the Lagrangian advection model to determine the track of tropical cyclones formed in the Indian Ocean. The Lagrangian advection model is newly developed model and conceptually closer to the dynamical models, which utilizes environmental steering flow and the effect due to earth’s rotation (the beta-effect) to determine the motion of cyclone. In this approach, the effect of environmental flow on the cyclone track is examined by removing the existing cyclone vortex from the steering flow which is determined by potential vorticity approach. A new approach based on vortex pattern matching has been used to identify the cyclone vortex and to remove it from the steering flow. The tracks of five tropical cyclones (viz., Nargis, Khai_Muk, Nisha, Aila and Phyan) which were formed in the North Indian basin during the period 2008–2009 have been generated by the Lagrangian advection model using the proposed scheme. The position errors were computed with respect to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) best track analysis positions and compared with that of without-vortex-removal scheme. The results show that the mean track errors for five cyclones are reduced by 6–35?% for 12–72?h forecast in case of vortex-removal scheme as compared to the without-vortex-removal scheme.     

热带气旋路径趋势数值预报的试验研究

给出了一个嵌套于欧洲中期天气预报中心全球谱模式中的套网格模式，用于预报热带气旋路径趋势，提出了一种以欧洲中期天气预报中心提供的时距为24小时的预报场为基础的“接力预报”方法；设计了五种不同的“接力预报”方案；并对8507号和8509号两个热带气旋就各种不同预报方案进行了数值预报试验。结果表明，本模式对热带气旋路径趋势具有较强的预报能力，对疑难路径也具有一定的预报能力，为开展热带气旋的路径趋势预报提供了一个新的途径。文中还对影响热带气旋路径趋势的一些主要因子结合各预报结果进行了分析，为模式尽早投入业务提供了一定的依据。     

基于观测路径的集合预报样本优选对热带气旋的模拟研究

集合预报是从一定误差范围内的一组初值出发,这组初值(样本)代表了大气状态的概率分布,集合预报中集合样本的好坏严重影响分析质量。质量较差样本进入集合预报中难免会降低集合预报的整体质量。由于集合样本是模拟大气可能状态的概率分布,因此样本的优选是提高分析质量的关键。通过对集合样本优胜劣汰来分析样本优选对模拟效果的影响。由于台风预报中台风路径的模拟至关重要,因此样本优选的方案为将样本模拟的路径信息与观测的台风报文路径相比较后,保留误差较低的样本,剔除误差较高的样本,从而提升样本的整体质量。但过多的样本被替换将导致集合离散度的大幅下降,因此替换样本的数量要适度。研究结果表明样本优选极可能有利于热带气旋路径和强度模拟的改进,其中对“妮妲”路径误差的改进为4% ~13%,对“鲇鱼”路径误差的改进为11%~28%,对“妮妲”的强度误差改进为5%~37%,“鲇鱼”的强度误差改进为1%~27%。      

On the bogussing of tropical cyclones in numerical models: A comparison of vortex profiles

Summary At the resolutions currently in use, and with the sparse oceanic data coverage, numerical analyses cannot adequately represent tropical cyclone circulations for use in numerical weather prediction models. In many cases there is no circulation present at all. Most numerical weather prediction centers therefore employ a bogussing scheme to force a tropical cyclone vortex into the numerical analysis. The standard procedure is to define a synthetic data distribution based on an analytically prescribed vortex, which is passed to the analysis scheme as a set of high quality observations.In this study, four commonly used bogus vortices are examined by comparing resultant forecast tracks in an environment at rest, and in a background flow that simulates a typical monsoon trough-subtropical ridge structure. There are three main findings, each of which has significance for operational tropical cyclone track prediction. First, great care is needed in the choice of the characteristics of the bogus vortex, such as the radius and magnitude of the maximum wind. Second, the tropical cyclone trajectories can be very sensitive to their initial position in the idealised environment. Third, the bogus vortex can substantially influence the environment, especially over longer time periods and for vortices of larger size.With 9 Figures     

数值预报对热带气旋移动路径的预报能力的检验

作者利用１９９５年６－１０月影响南中国海的１０个热带气旋实况资料以及５００ｈＰａ天气图，对日本地面２４小时数值预报和ＥＣＭＷＦ５００ｈＰａ为数值预报产品对热带气旋移动路径的预报能力进行检验和分析，结果表明；１．日本的２４小时地面数值预报对热带气旋的路径趋势有一定的预报能力，它对路径稳定的热带气旋预报能力较好，对热带气旋的突变转折预报能力较差。２．ＥＣＭＷＦ５００ｈＰａ数值预报对热带气旋的移动路长有     

Further experiments on cyclone track prediction with a quasi-Lagrangian limited area model

Summary Results of an earlier study of cyclone track prediction using a quasi-Lagrangian model (QLM) to generate track forecasts of up to 36 hours were reported by Prasad and Rama Rao (2003). Further experiments to produce track forecasts of up to 72 hours with an updated version of the same model have been carried out in the present study. In this case, the ability of the model to predict recent historical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea has been assessed. Analysis of some of the structural features of analyzed and predicted fields has been carried out. Such fields include wind distribution and vertical motion around the cyclone centre. In addition, the merging of an idealized vortex with the large scale initial fields provided by a global model, has been carried out for a particular case study of a May 1997 storm, which hit the Bangladesh coast. This current study has demonstrated that the model generates a realistic structure of a tropical cyclone with an idealized vortex. Performance evaluation has been carried out by computing the direct position errors (DPE). The results of which show that the mean error for a 24 h forecast is about 122 km, which increases to about 256 km for a 48 h forecast and 286 km for a 72 h forecast. These figures are comparable to similar errors in respect of tropical cyclone forecasts produced by an advanced NWP centre, viz., the UKMO global model during the corresponding period, 1997–2000 (obtained from UKMO web site). The average forecast errors of the UKMO model are 160 km for 24 h, 265 km for 48 h, 415 km for 72 h forecast ranges.     

热带气旋定量降水预报的动力相似方案

该文提出一个热带气旋定量降水预报(QPF) 的动力相似方案。方案应用热带气旋初始参数、历史过程的天气形势场和物理量场及数值预报产品, 构造预报区域内当前时刻至未来时刻环境要素场的多元客观相似判据。通过定义非线性的相似指数综合评估历史热带气旋样本与预报热带气旋在多元判据下的连续动态相似程度, 以此找到相似样本。应用相似样本的历史降水量记录进行相似指数的权重综合, 得到热带气旋未来6~48 h降水量的定点、定量预报值。预报试验表明该方案具有一定的预报技巧。     

Application of evidence theory to quantify uncertainty in hurricane/typhoon track forecasts

Summary In the paper, a new technique to quantify the accuracy of models for weather prediction in forecasting tracks of tropical cyclones using the available best track database is presented. Also a new approach to quantify and improve the accuracy of tropical cyclone track forecasts where no best track positions are available is suggested. Both techniques rely on the mathematical tools of evidence theory, which are customized here for application to total uncertainty in track forecasts.     

基于集合Kalman滤波数据同化的热带气旋路径集合预报研究

构建了一个基于集合Kalman滤波数据同化的热带气旋集合预报系统,通过积云参数化方案和边界层参数化方案的9个不同组合,采用MM5模式进行了不同时间的短时预报。对预报结果使用“镜像法”得到18个初始成员,为同化提供初始背景集合。将人造台风作为观测场,同化后的结果作为集合预报的初值,通过不同参数组合的MM5模式进行集合预报。对2003～2004年16个台风个例的分析表明,初始成员产生方法能够对热带气旋的要素场、中心强度和位置进行合理扰动。同化结果使台风强度得到加强,结构更接近实际。基于同化的集合路径预报结果要优于未同化的集合预报。使用“镜像法”增加集合成员提高了预报准确度,路径预报误差在48小时和72小时分别低于200 km和250 km。     

AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO SHORT-AND MEDIUM-RANGE PREDICTION OF TRACK AND INTENSITY OF TROPICAL CYCLONES

An objective prediction approach to the 6 h-144 h track and intensity of tropical cyclones over the northwestern Pacific is proposed. On the basis of both analog deviation technique and completed historical sample curve library, the track or intensity prediction for each forecast period are determined respectively through the optimum weighted superposition of displacement or intensity change of the cases, with different number and weighted coefficient corresponding to minimal analog deviation, from different tropical cyclone or different stage of the same cyclone. so that the prediction results for both forecast period and entire process are optimal. The verification suggests that the approach exhibits better forecast performance than other previous forecast methods by having remarkable decreasing forecast errors in short-and medium-range forecast of both track and intensity,and that the approach can also be used to predict effectively the decay process of tropical cyclone and is able to predict anomalous track and tropical depression.     

Tropical cyclone track and intensity prediction: The generation and assimilation of high-density, satellite-derived data

Summary The impact of recent scientific and technological advances in tropical cyclone track, intensity and structure modeling is discussed. Since the early 1990s, developments have occurred in remote sensing, data assimilation procedures, numerical models and high performance computing. In particular, there is now quasi-continuous high spatial and temporal resolution data coverage over the previously data-sparse oceans where tropical cyclones spend most of their life cycles. There has been a rapid development of data assimilation methodologies capable of using these data to initialize high-resolution prediction models. Model developments have reached a stage of maturity where the representation of many of the physical processes necessary for improved tropical cyclone track and intensity prediction are now included. Finally, available computer power has reached the teraflop range. Most operational centers have high performance computers capable of tropical cyclone modeling at resolutions necessary for skillful track and intensity simulations. This article focuses on combining all of the above developments in a tropical cyclone data analysis and prediction system. The system has produced statistically significant reductions in the mean forecast error statistics for tropical cyclone track predictions and resulted in far more realistic simulations of tropical cyclone intensity and structure. A large number of tropical cyclones have been modeled, with emphasis on those classified as being “difficult” storms to predict accurately. These difficult storms are most responsible for rapidly growing forecast errors. Our results are illustrated by case studies of such tropical cyclones. Received October 9, 2001 Revised December 28, 2001     

SAMPLE OPTIMIZATION OF ENSEMBLE FORECAST TO SIMULATE TROPICAL STORMS (MERBOK, MAWAR, AND GUCHOL) USING THE OBSERVED TRACK

Nowadays, ensemble forecasting is popular in numerical weather prediction (NWP). However, an ensemble may not produce a perfect Gaussian probability distribution owing to limited members and the fact that some members significantly deviate from the true atmospheric state. Therefore, event samples with small probabilities may downgrade the accuracy of an ensemble forecast. In this study, the evolution of tropical storms (weak typhoon) was investigated and an observed tropical storm track was used to limit the probability distribution of samples. The ensemble forecast method used pure observation data instead of assimilated data. In addition, the prediction results for three tropical storm systems, Merbok, Mawar, and Guchol, showed that track and intensity errors could be reduced through sample optimization. In the research, the vertical structures of these tropical storms were compared, and the existence of different thermal structures was discovered. One possible reason for structural differences is sample optimization, and it may affect storm intensity and track.     

东海热带气旋路径预报模式业务运行结果及改进模式

统计分析了东海热带气旋路径预报模式在１９９６年、１９９７年和１９９８年三年业务运行的结果;系统地与主观预报和日本数值预报结果进行了同个例同时次的比较：对模式边界层物理过程中摩擦拖曳系数以及二次台风Ｂｏｇｕｓ技术、三维最优插值客观分析方法和资料同化等影响热带气旋移动的作用进行了试验研究;实现了间歇资料同化处理的业务化运行。     

GRAPES-TCM业务试验结果分析

应用数值模式GRAPES-TCM2.1（GT2.1）的升级版GRAPES-TCM2.6（GT2.6）对2005年西北太平洋及南海热带气旋路径进行了后报试验和性能检验。在检验预报路径时考察了平均距离误差、系统偏差、距离误差的地理分布和平均移速误差,并在总体检验的基础上,根据与热带气旋路径相关的重要因素（路径类型、强度、有无登陆过程以及有无移向或移速突变）进行了分类检验。结果表明,GT2.6表现出良好的预报性能,其对所有样本的24、48和72小时平均距离误差分别为135.8、230.7和336.0km,但前12小时距离误差较大（近100km）。用系统偏差订正GT2.6对转向类样本的预报路径可获得明显的改进。GT2.6对130°E以西区域特别是靠近我国东南沿海的热带气旋路径预报表现较好。GT2.6的总体平均预报移速在48小时内都比最佳路径移速偏快,初始的12小时内偏快最多（近1m·s^-1）,在48小时后转为偏慢。GT2.6和GT2.1的前48小时路径预报性能的稳定性相当,总体误差特征相似,GT2.6对所有样本的48小时预报有显著改进,平均距离误差减小17km。初步分析表明,对GT2.6的改进应主要集中在数值预报初始场的改进方面,比如在初始化过程中采用较准确的涡旋分离方案、加入引导向量改进初始移动以及适当考虑加入非对称Bogus涡旋;扩大预报区域,并适当选取预报区域起始位置等。     

Experiments of DSAEF_LTP Model with Two Improved Parameters for Accumulated Precipitation of Landfalling Tropical Cyclones over Southeast China

The Dynamical-Statistical-Analog Ensemble Forecast model for landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs) precipitation (DSAEF_LTP) utilises an operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) model for the forecast track, while the precipitation forecast is obtained by finding analog cyclones, and making a precipitation forecast from an ensemble of the analogs. This study addresses TCs that occurred from 2004 to 2019 in Southeast China with 47 TCs as training samples and 18 TCs for independent forecast experiments. Experiments use four model versions. The control experiment DSAEF_LTP_1 includes three factors including TC track, landfall season, and TC intensity to determine analogs. Versions DSAEF_LTP_2, DSAEF_LTP_3, and DSAEF_LTP_4 respectively integrate improved similarity region, improved ensemble method, and improvements in both parameters. Results show that the DSAEF_LTP model with new values of similarity region and ensemble method (DSAEF_LTP_4) performs best in the simulation experiment, while the DSAEF_LTP model with new values only of ensemble method (DSAEF_LTP_3) performs best in the forecast experiment. The reason for the difference between simulation (training sample) and forecast (independent sample) may be that the proportion of TC with typical tracks (southeast to northwest movement or landfall over Southeast China) has changed significantly between samples. Forecast performance is compared with that of three global dynamical models (ECMWF, GRAPES, and GFS) and a regional dynamical model (SMS-WARMS). The DSAEF_LTP model performs better than the dynamical models and tends to produce more false alarms in accumulated forecast precipitation above 250 mm and 100 mm. Compared with TCs without heavy precipitation or typical tracks, TCs with these characteristics are better forecasted by the DSAEF_LTP model.     

西北太平洋热带气旋频次的延伸期动力-统计预报方法和评估

介绍了西北太平洋热带气旋(TC)频次的延伸期预报方法,比较了新构建的动力-统计和统计预报模型的预测技巧,并探讨了预报误差来源及改进方向。动力-统计预报模型是基于动力模式预测的热带季节内振荡(ISO)信号及ISO-TC生成的同期统计关系来进行预报;统计预报模型则是基于TC生成的前兆ISO信号建模预报。预报评估结果显示,动力-统计混合预报模型的预报技巧高于统计预报模型,原因在于影响TC次季节变化的前兆信号并不稳定,且随着预报超前时间迅速消散,无法提供有效且稳定的可预报源;相反地,TC生成与同期的ISO背景场显著相关,动力模式对ISO(预报因子)有较好的预报能力,因此动力-统计相结合的预报方法为TC延伸期预报提供了有效途径。虽然目前动力-统计预报模型的预报技巧可达5～6周,但仍有进一步改进和提高的空间。通过对不同类型TC预报技巧检验和误差分析,研究认为年际和年代际背景场对ISO调控TC活动的影响不可忽略,且热带外ISO信号(如罗斯贝波破碎和西风急流强度等)对TC频次和轨迹也有显著影响,这些因子为TC延伸期预报提供了潜在可预报源。     

2006年6—8月T213与ECMWF模式中期预报性能检验

6—8月是我国高温干旱、暴雨洪涝等气象灾害最为严重的季节。该季节天气系统变化快，活动剧烈，天气预报难度大，最能考验数值预报模式的预报性能。为更好地应用T213模式中期预报产品，对2006年6—8月T213模式中期96小时数值预报产品进行了统计和天气学检验，并与ECMWF模式同类产品进行了对比分析。结果表明，T213和ECMWF模式对中高纬度大型环流的调整、副高及850hPa温度等均有较好的预报能力，对台风路径也都有一定的预报能力，但T213模式台风移速预报过快，登陆偏早，而ECMWF模式预报相反。     

Radar data assimilation of the GRAPES model and experimental results in a typhoon case

Constructing β-mesoscale weather systems in initial fields remains a challenging problem in a mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. Without vertical velocity matching the β-mesoscale weather system, convection activities would be suppressed by downdraft and cooling caused by precipitating hydrometeors. In this study, a method, basing on the three-dimensional variational (3DVAR) assimilation technique, was developed to obtain reasonable structures of β-mesoscale weather systems by assimilating radar data in a next-generation NWP system named GRAPES (the Global and Regional Assimilation and Prediction System) of China. Single-point testing indicated that assimilating radial wind significantly improved the horizontal wind but had little effect on the vertical velocity, while assimilating the retrieved vertical velocity (taking Richardson's equation as the observational operator) can greatly improve the vertical motion. Experiments on a typhoon show that assimilation of the radial wind data can greatly improve the prediction of the typhoon track, and can ameliorate precipitation to some extent. Assimilating the retrieved vertical velocity and rainwater mixing ratio, and adjusting water vapor and cloud water mixing ratio in the initial fields simultaneously, can significantly improve the tropical cyclone rainfall forecast but has little effect on typhoon path. Joint assimilating these three kinds of radar data gets the best results. Taking into account the scale of different weather systems and representation of observational data, data quality control, error setting of background field and observation data are still requiring further in-depth study.