Use of the advanced microwave sounding unit data to improve typhoon prediction

Abstract The effects of incorporating the advanced microwave sounding unit (AMSU-A) data with a modified Zhu–Zhang–Weng vortex-bogussing algorithm on typhoon prediction are examined through the use of the PSU/NCAR Mesoscale Model version 5 (MM5). The AMSU-A data contain the vertical distribution of the retrieved temperature from satellite brightness temperature, with the geopotential height and wind fields derived through a series of statistical and diagnostic calculations. The advantages of the modified vortex-bogussing algorithm include the incorporation of realistic asymmetric typhoon structures, the balanced dynamics with the background field, the easiness to implement and the efficient computations. To test the efficiency of this vortex-bogussing algorithm, the Typhoon Dan event in 1999 is simulated by incorporating the derived AMSU-A fields into the initial conditions of the MM5 modeling system. Results show significant improvements in the track and intensity of the storm, as compared to the simulation without the AMSU-A data. Therefore, this modified vortex-bogussing algorithm can be easily implemented on any typhoon modeling system, which will improve the real-time forecast of tropical cyclones.