Comparative analysis of parametric cyclone models and relations for radius of maximum winds for storm surge simulations: case of Typhoon Meranti 2016

Parametric cyclone models consist of relations for a pressure field and wind field based on specified typhoon parameters such as coordinates, central pressure, maximum wind, and radius of maximum wind. Such models generate the forcing conditions for simulations of storm surges. This study investigated the cyclone model parameters considering the Typhoon Meranti event, which made landfall in Batanes Islands of the Philippines in 2016. Available empirical equations for radius of maximum wind were compared and it showed that the equation developed by Vickery and Wadhera in 2008 best estimated the radius of maximum winds for the dataset considered. Comparisons of modeled and observed winds and pressures using various parametric cyclone models showed that the 1952 Fujitamodel gave more accurate pressure fields, while the 2010 Holland model gave more accurate wind fields. Based on storm surge simulations of Typhoon Meranti, the 1952 Fujita cyclone model gave the more accurate simulation of the storm tides. The 2010 Holland cyclone model generally has lower wind fields which reduced the wind surge component and the simulated significant wave heights which also reduces the contribution of wave setup to the storm tide levels.