A theoretical method to characterize the resistance effects of nonflat terrain on wind fields in a parametric wind field model for tropical cyclones

Abstract

Traditionally, an empirical speed-up factor was introduced to reflect the effects of nonflat terrain on near-surface wind speeds. In this paper, the resistance effects of nonflat terrain are considered by introducing the terrain drag coefficient in the parametric wind field model for tropical cyclones (TCs) with a theoretical method. Terrain effects on wind fields are investigated in complex areas along the coastal zone in China under TC conditions. The results show that the terrain drag coefficient is the function of the slope angle and is sensitive to the spatial resolution. After including the resistance effect of nonflat terrain, the TC intensities weaken overall during landfall, with a slight enhancement near the coastal zone. The wind speeds outside the radius of the maximum wind speed decrease, while the wind speeds within the radius of the maximum wind speed increase. Both the TC eye and the radius of maximum wind speed shrink, which is more obvious when the TC center is entirely over land. As a result, the location and magnitude of the maximum wind speed are affected by the nonflat terrain. The changed structure of the wind fields demonstrates the necessity of considering the effects of nonflat terrain in simulating the wind fields under TC conditions.