On the Use of Parametric Wind Models for Wind Wave Modeling under Tropical Cyclones

Pablo Ruiz-Salcines,Gabriel Díaz-Hernández,Paulo Salles,Lucia Robles-Díaz,Alec Torres-Freyermuth,Christian M Appendini

doi:10.3390/w11102044

Abstract

Wave and wind forces from tropical cyclones are one of the main design parameters of coastal and offshore infrastructure in tropical areas. The estimation of ocean waves parameters in the design of structures in tropical areas is difficult due to the complexity of wind fields associated with tropical cyclones. The use of numerical wave models, forced with parametric wind fields, is a common practice within the climatic characterization of extreme events. However, there is currently no consensus on the selection of parametric models for wave prediction due to the lack of a rigorous assessment of different models. In this study, six well-known parametric wind models were tested, compared, and applied in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Therefore, the evaluation and comparison of the resulting wind and wave fields are presented, showing that a particular model may best represent a specific event, but, when dealing with a large number of events, the choice of a particular parametric wind model or a combination of them does not guarantee greater accuracy.

Highlights

Tropical cyclones (TC) are one of the major destructive forces in nature, resulting in losses due to extreme wind speeds, precipitations, ocean waves, and storm surges
We present a discussion about a permutation technique for each of the waves derived from the parametric models, in order identify if a permutation method would provide better results for determining the tropical cyclones to identify if a permutation method would provide better results for determining the tropical cyclones derived wave conditions
The main objective of this study was the assessment of different parametric wind models for use use in numerical wave modeling strategy, based on two steps: (1) assessment of the accuracy of six in numerical wave modeling strategy, based on two steps: (1) assessment of the accuracy of six parametric wind models to reproduce tropical cyclone wind fields; and (2) assessment of the ocean parametric wind models to reproduce tropical cyclone wind fields; and (2) assessment of the ocean waves derived from numerical models forced by parametric wind fields

Summary

Introduction

Tropical cyclones (TC) are one of the major destructive forces in nature, resulting in losses due to extreme wind speeds, precipitations, ocean waves, and storm surges. While wind and precipitation can lead to damages inland and storm surge in coastal areas, ocean waves are a relevant hazard affecting offshore areas and acting upon the storm surge as a destructive force when arriving at the coast. Hurricane Ivan (2004) partially destroyed seven oil and gas offshore platforms, while six drilling rigs reported major damage in the Gulf of Mexico [1], with measured waves of approximately 29 m [2]. The following year, 2005, hurricanes Rita and Katrina affected 113 oil and gas offshore platforms and seven drilling rigs, severely damaging 170 structures [3,4].

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