A Three-Dimensional Trajectory Model with Advection Correction for Tropical Cyclones: Algorithm Description and Tests for Accuracy

Abstract

Abstract When computing trajectories from model output, gridded winds are often temporally interpolated to a time step shorter than model output intervals to satisfy computational stability constraints. This study investigates whether trajectory accuracy may be improved for tropical cyclone (TC) applications by interpolating the model winds using advection correction (AC) instead of the traditional linear interpolation in time (LI) method. Originally developed for Doppler radar processing, AC algorithms interpolate data in a reference frame that moves with the pattern translation, or advective flow velocity. A previously developed trajectory AC implementation is modified here by extending it to three-dimensional (3D) flows, and the advective flows are defined in cylindrical rather than Cartesian coordinates. This AC algorithm is tested on two model-simulated TC cases, Hurricanes Joaquin (2015) and Wilma (2005). Several variations of the AC algorithm are compared to LI on a sample of 10 201 backward trajectories computed from the modeled 5-min output data, using reference trajectories computed from 1-min output to quantify position errors. Results show that AC of 3D wind vectors using advective flows defined as local gridpoint averages improves the accuracy of most trajectories, with more substantial improvements being found in the inner eyewall where the horizontal flows are dominated by rotating cyclonic wind perturbations. Furthermore, AC eliminates oscillations in vertical velocity along LI backward trajectories run through deep convective updrafts, leading to a ~2.5-km correction in parcel height after 20 min of integration.