Research progress on tropical cyclone parametric wind field models and their application

Abstract

After nearly a century of continuous development, tropical cyclone (TC) parametric wind field models have become more sophisticated and complex and have yielded better simulation results. Currently, they are the main avenues for predicting, simulating and reconstructing TC-induced storm surges. However, there is still room for improving these models; in particular when other influencing factors are refined as much as possible in storm surge models, the calculation results are still unsatisfactory in some cases. As sea surface wind fields are the most critical factor driving the calculation of storm surges and many other TC hazards, we revisit the evolution and systematically discuss the primary construction methods of parametric wind field models proposed at different stages. The key technologies used to construct symmetric and asymmetric wind field models are highlighted. The most common empirical, theoretical, and hybrid methods for establishing and modifying these models are categorized and discussed in detail. Moreover, there are still some noteworthy factors, especially in establishing unbalanced sea surface wind fields and customizing and revising parametric models for different types of TCs, and specific recommendations for considering these supplementary factors are provided. With the emergence of new observation technologies and artificial intelligence, novel approaches for innovating parametric wind field models using these new technologies are prospectively proposed. These supplementary factors can increase the flexibility of parametric wind field models in expressing the structure of sea surface wind fields, especially in describing the observed changeable real TC asymmetries, and more accurate results in storm surge calculations and predictions of other TC hazards can finally be achieved.