Tropical Cyclones

This course describes how the range of scatterometers and radiometers can be used for analysing tropical cyclones. This includes:

• how scatterometers and radiometers can estimate surface winds;
• a description of the range of sensors providing surface winds and their availability;
• their application for tropical cyclones including strengths and weaknesses;
• case studies to examine their application in a range of different cases.

This material is not available to the public generally but can be accessed by forecasters outside the Bureau via a passkey. NOTE requires registration to learn.bom.gov.au. Contact James Thompson for further details.

Following on from the modules Introduction to Storm Surge and National Storm Surge Forecasting, this module:

·         reviews the science of tropical cyclone storm tide;

·         reviews regional coastal vulnerability to TC-related storm tide;

·         describes the new tropical cyclone storm tide forecast guidance;

·         describes the forecast process applying the guidance during operations to issue storm tide advices.

For the 2020/21 tropical cyclone season there is little change to the existing products issued but this will likely change during subsequent seasons.

Case studies are used to demonstrate the application of guidance information to determine warning strategies.

Completion of the course requires successfully completing a quiz at the end to demonstrate understanding of the guidance systems and how they can be used in operations. A grade of at least 85% is required.

Allow approximately 1-2 hours to complete this module. [depending on scope]

You are expected to review a piece of research and consider application to TC applications.

The research could be from one of the following suggested sources:

AMS Hurricane Conference 2018: recorded 15min presentations: 

AMS Hurricane Conference 2016: recorded 15min presentations: https://ams.confex.com/ams/32Hurr/webprogram/32HURRICANES.html

CAWCR seminars: http://bom-cawcr.bom.gov.au/cawcrseminars/

Peer reviewed journals: eg.

AMOJ: http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/

TCRR: http://tcrr.typhoon.gov.cn/EN/volumn/home.shtml

You may wish to share the research item more widely with colleagues such as posting to tc_discussion@bom.gov.au email discussion list or presenting to your colleagues at a lunchtime seminar or even applying the research to TC operations. This might also stimulate ideas for research more locally.

If you have a research idea but don't have the time to pursue it, could approach ask for assistance to the wider group, a colleague or the TC trainer who is in a position to provide direct assistance.

If you have any questions contact James Thompson.