Numerical Simulations and Analysis of Typhoon Morakot (2009) Using COAMPS-TC

Typhoon Morakot (2009) was the deadiest typhoon in recorded history to strike Taiwan. Its slow movement combined with its interaction with the southwest monsoon and steep terrain of the central mountain range (CMR) produced tremendous amounts of rainfall in excess of 2500 mm. Numerical simulations of Typhoon Morakot (2009) are performed using the Naval Research Laboratory's Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System for Tropical Cyclones (COAMPS-TC) in order to: a) understand the multi-scale dynamic and physical processes that caused the tremendous rainfall associated with this landfalling typhoon, and b) understand the sensitivity of the track, intensity, and quantitative precipitation forecast to variations in the model physics (including cumulus, microphysics, and planetary boundary layer schemes), initialization, horizontal and vertical resolution, and domain configurations. The results lend insight into optimal configurations for mesoscale models for the accurate prediction of high-impact rain events such as Morakot.