Advancing hurricane prediction models through enhanced physics of the air-sea-wave coupling

Future improvements of the hurricane model forecast skills must include development of new and enhanced techniques suitable for high-resolution model physics of air-sea interaction. This presentation will discuss major upgrades to the ocean model components and the implementation of the new parameterization of wind stress and air-sea-wave coupling that can accurately capture the physics at the air-sea interface in the NOAA’s GFDL and HWRF operational hurricane prediction models. Some of these upgrades are the results of close collaborative research efforts between the Oceanographic Center at Nova Southeastern University and the Graduate School of Oceanography at University of Rhode Island.