Numerical simulation study of sea spray’s effect on tropical cyclone——a case study of typhoon “Megi”

Sea spray has important influence on the evolution of tropical cyclone. The influence of sea spray in the numerical simulation and prediction of tropical cyclones is not ignorable. In order to explore the kinetic and thermodynamic effects of sea spray on tropical cyclone, the drag coefficient C_D and the enthalpy transfer coefficient C_K with sea spray’s effects were included in the coupled ocean-atmosphere-wave-sediment transport modeling system (COAWST). The numerical results show that, the effect of sea spray can effectively improve the simulation results of tropical cyclone path. When only the kinetic effect of sea spray is considered, the momentum flux at the surface of sea is little affected, and the upward sensible heat flux and latent heat flux are slightly increased. When kinetic and thermodynamic effects of sea spray is considered at the same time, the momentum flux is slightly increased, the upward sensible heat flux is increased, and the latent heat flux is significantly increased, the intensity of tropical cyclone is significantly enhanced, mainly due to the thermodynamic effect . Considering the kinetic and thermodynamic effects of sea spray at the same time is more effective than considering the kinetic effects of sea spray in improving the intensity simulation of tropical cyclone.