Influence of Physics Parameterizations and Ocean Coupling on Simulations of Tropical Cyclones using a Regional Climate Model (WRF) and a Coupled Modeling System (COAWST)

Abstract:

We examine the influence of physics parameterizations and ocean coupling on the ability of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to simulate the storm track and intensity of 2011 storms Irene and Ophelia. Of the physics parameterizations investigated - cumulus parameterizations, planetary boundary layer, microphysics, radiation, and land surface models - cumulus parameterizations have the greatest impact on WRF's ability to reproduce the two storms, particularly storm intensity.

We also investigated the influence of coupling the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) to the WRF model. This was achieved using the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Wave Sediment Transport (COAWST) modeling system which couples ROMS to WRF using the Model Coupling Toolkit (MCT). Simulated storm intensity and track are modified as a result of coupling ROMS to WRF, but coupling will not compensate for a poor initial parameterization selection.