A fine-resolution, multiple-nested, WRF simulation of hurricane Gustav (2008)

This study describes a fine-resolution WRF simulation of Hurricane Gustav's landfall in September 2008. The WRF simulations have been initialized two days before landfall as the hurricane traveled over Cuba, and are simulated through landfall. Multiple levels of nests are utilized, and if time permits, moving nests will be attempted. Different parameterizations have been set up to see which ones match best with the data. Preliminary simulations show good comparison with track data, but also show the need for more work to be done to get good intensity and rainfall matches.

The structure of Gustav and its rainfall will be compared to real data. Possible physical processes that may explain the rainfall distribution will be investigated.