Investigation of typhoons by using ECMWF re-analysis data

摘要

In this paper the significant wave height (SWH) and the wind field products of ECMWF re-analysis data are used to derive the location of typhoon center, to analyze the temporal and spatial features of the SWH induced by typhoons, and to study the relationships between the SWH and wind speed. The results are compared with merged SWH data from several satellite altimeters (GFO, TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1 and Envisat) and wind vectors from QuikSCAT. Typhoon eyes are observed by using SAR and MODIS data. It is shown that (1) the spatial distribution of wind fields from ECMWF re-analysis data is almost in accordance with that of wind fields from QuikSCAT; (2) the spatial distribution of SWH from ECMWF re-analysis data is almost in accordance with that of SWH from merged SWH data; (3) the distribution of higher wind speed and higher wave height are consistent with the SWH and the wind field product of ECMWF re-analysis data; (4) the centers of typhoon waves lag behind the centers of typhoons; (5) the top of typhoon move faster that the bottom in the case of Saomai.