Modeling and Data Assimilation for Tropical Cyclone Forecasts

Dear Colleagues,

Tropical Cyclones (TCs) are among the most destructive natural hazards over the globe. The observations (satellite, airborne, and in situ) and various methods of assimilating those observations are cornerstones of the effort to understand dynamical and physical processes, along with the ability to use this knowledge to advance analyses and predictions.

The focus of this Special Issue of Atmosphere is specific to the state-of-the-art and advancements in both numerical modeling (i.e., numerical weather prediction, NWP) and the usage of observations (i.e., data assimilation, DA) specific to the improvement of tropical cyclone (TC) predictions. The list of subjects includes recent advances in observations, DA and modeling of TCs with detailed and advanced information on genesis, movement, structure, intensification including rapid intensification (RI) and rapid weakening (RW), and prediction of TC related impacts (e.g., storm surge, flooding, inundation). Specifically, it deals primarily with: (1) satellite data observations and applications in TC analysis and forecasts; (2) advances in NWP for TC predictions; (3) advanced DA methods for TCs and vortex initialization techniques; (4) ocean, wave, surge, and inundation coupling, and (5) advanced research in physical parameterizations and dynamical processes for TCs.

We are interested in submissions on any of the topics listed above which are specific to improvements and innovations for both the high-spatial resolution NWP of TCs as well as the improvements upon existing or the usage of newly available observation platforms. Further, manuscripts should clearly illustrate applications and results for the improvement of forecast skill for track, and intensity (including RI/RW) and structure prediction at several days’ forecast lead times.

Consideration will be given to NWP studies that demonstrate forecast skill metrics, and their respective applicability to the existing operational TC forecasting systems. Attention will also be given to DA studies which demonstrate forecast impacts using existing and/or new observation types. Some possible topics include (but are not limited to) ground-based radar (i.e., NEXRAD), cloud-contaminated radiances, atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs), and airborne reconnaissance mission collected observations.

Manuscripts may present original research or reviews of the state-of-the-art of the science, thereby providing context to the current research and the direction in which the modeling and data assimilation for TCs should be moving.

Dr. Vijay Tallapragada
Dr. Henry Winterbottom
Dr. Zaizhong Ma
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.