Simulation of Tropical Storm Fay intensity change over land due to soil moisture and land moisture over Lake Okeechobee

Few studies have been done regarding the impact of soil moisture on the intensification of tropical cyclones over land, but rather have concentrated tropical cyclones transitions to ET and the process that occurs during a dying tropical cyclone.The purpose of this study is to simulate the observed intensity of Tropical Storm Fay over land by changing variables within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model pertaining to land use. The objectives of this research will be to determine what are the impacts from changing the soil moisture and soil liquid water values, and how it affects intensity and precipitation of Tropical Storm Fay. To accomplish a better understanding of the event of Tropical Storm Fay, model simulations will be performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.1.1. Tropical Storm Fay crossed the west coast of Florida at 0845 UTC 19 August with peak winds speeds of 55 knots. Despite land interaction over South Florida, Tropical Storm Fay then strengthened and it's winds where estimated at peak intensity of 60 knots. This wind speed was achieved around 1800 UTC when the center was near the western and of Lake Okeechobee, where an eye feature appeared on radar imagery from 0929 UTC 19 August until 0212 UTC 20 August. It is believed that the results of this study will support the hypothesis that the interaction of Tropical Storm Fay at this location and time was related to the soil moisture, land moisture, and water depth of Lake Okeechobee.