Cloud-scale simulation study of Typhoon Hagupit (2008) Part I: Microphysical processes of the inner core and three-dimensional structure of the latent heat budget

Abstract

The Advanced Research WRF (ARW) version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is used to conduct simulation experiments with a 3km resolution for Typhoon Hagupit (2008). The primary results show the following: (1) the control experiment reproduces well the environmental field, track, storm propagation speed, intensity change, latent heating vertical profile of the typhoon inner core area, and wind and precipitation distribution of the typhoon. (2) The average total latent heating profile of the inner core reaches its peak value at a height of 7km. At heights below 500m, there is mainly an evaporative cooling effect. From 1 to 4km, mainly condensation heating is present. Above 10km, there is mainly a deposition effect. (3) Condensation heating exists principally within the inner flank of the cloud wall. Its maximum height is 2–5km, and can reach 11km. Melt cooling takes place in the outer flank of the cloud wall, whereas freeze heating is in the cloud wall, above the zero degree isotherm. (4) The large magnitude of microphysical process conversion rates is attributable to rainwater collected by graupel, melting of graupel, rainwater collected by snow, and water vapor condensation into cloud water. The dominant microphysical processes for releasing latent heat are water vapor condensation into cloud water and depositional growth of snow and cloud ice. The dominant microphysical processes for absorbing latent heat are evaporation of rainwater, sublimation of snow, and melting of graupel.