Modeling studies of rapid intensification of tropical cyclones using HWRF

This study evaluates the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) model on the structure, intensity changes, and movement of tropical cyclones. Simulations are configured at 27 km and 9 km resolutions to examine the intensification and inner core structures of Hurricane Earl of 2010 and Hurricanes Alex and Irene of 2011.

The simulations and data analyses of this research focus on two aspects of hurricane research. The first is to advance understanding of tropical cyclone intensity change, especially the onset and magnitude of rapid intensification events. The second is enhancement of the capability to observe tropical cyclones and its environment, in order to support forecaster analysis and model initialization in the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean.