Performance of numerical weather prediction models in predicting track of recurving cyclone Vayu over Arabian Sea during June 2019

Abstract

A tropical cyclone (TC) Vayu developed over the Arabian Sea during June, 2019. It followed a northward track from southeast Arabian Sea to northeast Arabian Sea close to Gujarat coast during 10–12 June 2019 as a very severe cyclonic storm. It skirted south Gujarat coast by recurving west-northwestwards during 13th–14th June and again made a northeastward recurvature on 16th June towards Gujarat coast. However, it weakened over Sea on 17th. There was large divergence among various models in predicting the track of TC Vayu leading to over warning for Gujarat state and also delay in dewarning leading to evacuation of people from coastal region. Hence, a study has thus been taken up to analyze the performance of various numerical weather prediction (NWP) models in forecasting the track of TC Vayu so as to find out the reason for above limitation of NWP models. Results suggest that there is a need to relook into the existing multi-model ensemble (MME) technique which outperforms individual models in track forecasting. There is also a need to improve the individual deterministic model guidance so as to suitably represent the interaction between mid-latitude westerlies with the TC and steering anticyclone by improving the initial and boundary conditions through augmented direct and remotely sensed observations over the Arabian Sea and their assimilation in NWP models.