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Stratospheric Gravity Waves as a Proxy for Hurricane Intensification: a Case Study of WRF Simulation for Hurricane Joaquin
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  • Xue Wu,
  • Lars Hoffmann,
  • Corwin James Wright,
  • Neil P Hindley,
  • Silvio Kalisch,
  • M. Joan Alexander,
  • Yinan Wang
Xue Wu
Key Laboratory of Middle Atmosphere and Global Environment Observation, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Lars Hoffmann
Forschungszentrum Jülich
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Corwin James Wright
University of Bath
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Neil P Hindley
University of Bath
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Silvio Kalisch
Yonsei University
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M. Joan Alexander
NorthWest Research Associates, CoRA Office
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Yinan Wang
Institute of Atmospheric Physics
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Abstract

We conducted simulations with a 4-km resolution for Hurricane Joaquin in 2015 using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model. The model data are used to study stratospheric gravity waves (GWs) generated by the hurricane and how they correlate with hurricane intensity. The simulation results show spiral GWs propagating upward and anticlockwise away from the hurricane center. GWs with vertical wavelengths up to 14 km are generated. We find that GW activity is more frequent and intense during hurricane intensification than during weakening, particularly for the most intense GW activity. There are significant correlations between the change of stratospheric GW intensity and hurricane intensity. Therefore, the emergence of intensive stratospheric GW activity may be considered a useful proxy for identifying hurricane intensification.