Understanding the initial conditions contributing to the rapid intensification of typhoons through ensemble sensitivity analysisOA

While steady improvements have been achieved for the track forecasts of typhoons,there has been a lack of improvement for intensity forecasts.One challenge for intensity forecasts is to capture the rapid intensification(RI),whose nonlinear characteristics impose great difficulties for numerical models.The ensemble sensitivity analysis(ESA)method is used here to analyze the initial conditions that contribute to typhoon intensity forecasts,especially with RI.Six RI processes from five typhoons(Chaba,Haima,Meranti,Sarika,and Songda)in 2016,are applied with ESA,which also gives a composite initial condition that favors subsequent RI.Results from individual cases have generally similar patterns of ESA,but with different magnitudes,when various cumulus parameterization schemes are applied.To draw the initial conditions with statistical significance,sample-mean azimuthal components of ESA are obtained.Results of the composite sensitivity show that typhoons that experience RI in 24 h favor enhanced primary circulation from low to high levels,intensified secondary circulation with increased radial inflow at lower levels and increased radial outflow at upper levels,a prominent warm core at around 300 hPa,and increased humidity at low levels.As the forecast lead time increases,the patterns of ESA are retained,while the sensitivity magnitudes decay.Given the general and quantitative composite sensitivity along with associated uncertainties for different cumulus parameterization schemes,appropriate sampling of the composite sensitivity in numerical models could be beneficial to capturing the RI and improving the forecasting of typhoon intensity.