Improving Air-Sea Observations of Typhoons Using Wave Gliders

During typhoons, direct, reliable experimental observations of the atmosphere and sea surface are difficult. The target storm for the present experiment in 2023 was typhoon Khanun, a Category-4 storm. Two wave gliders, used as autonomous surface vehicles, were improved after assessing problems encountered during a 2022 storm. These improvements reduced equipment vibration and sensor damage on the wave gliders and resulted in uninterrupted data acquisition. Changing atmospheric and oceanographic phenomena were continuously observed before and after passage of the typhoon on both sides of the typhoon's course, and inside the storm zone. Meteorometers were mounted redundantly to evaluate sensors with different specifications and to assess the reliability of acquired data. Data collected at the sea surface during typhoons should enhance understanding of interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.