Why is the numerical modeling of tropical cyclones so challenging?

Tropical cyclones can influence large areas with high winds, heavy rainfall, and sometimes storm surge. But despite the spatial scale and severity of their impact, they are driven by a relatively small-scale and meteorologically complex power plant. In order to accurately represent tropical cyclones in numerical models, one must account for processes spanning a broad range of spatial scales, from convection in the eye wall and spiral bands, to air-sea interactions involving sea spray, waves, and evaporation, to large-scale weather systems that can exert a significant steering influence. These challenges are exacerbated by the paucity of in-situ observations in the immediate vicinity of most tropical cyclones. In this talk, Dr. Gary Lackmann will review some of these scientific and computational challenges, and describe some of the techniques being used to overcome them.

Dr. Gary Lackmann is a professor in the department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at NC State. He studies high-impact weather, climate change, and numerical atmospheric modeling.

The Research Computing Seminar series is a collaboration between the NCSU Office of Information Technology, the College of Sciences, and the NCSU Libraries.