Solution and validation of a three dimensional tropical cyclone boundary layer wind field model

A tropical cyclone (TC) wind field model is essential for assessing its hazard. The presented study investigates the characteristics of the wind field predicted by a nonlinear TC wind field model which is based on the momentum equation and continuity equation. The model considers the nonlinear friction force near the surface and height varying eddy viscosity that is related to the turbulence kinetic energy. The solution procedure is based on the finite difference method and using an implicit solution algorithm. Numerical analysis carried out indicates that the use of the implicit algorithm is very efficient, and numerical dissipation is negligible. The solution to the wind field indicates that the predicted vertical wind profile matches well that derived from dropsonde data. Comparison with the results from other TC wind field models indicates that the vertical wind speed predicted by the considered model is consistent with that of a sophisticated weather prediction model. The adequacy of the considered model is further validated through comparison of model prediction and recorded time history of wind speed at surface stations for several historical TC events.