Ocean - atmosphere interaction during Thane cyclone: A numerical study using WRF

Abstract

<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";="" mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:hi"="">Cyclone 'Thane' developed over the southeast Bay of Bengal (BoB) at 88.5° E, 8.5° N during 25 – 31 December 2011. Simulations have been carried out using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to generate fine resolution winds that prevailed over the BoB during this extreme weather event. Global Final analysis data from the National Centres for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) having a spatial resolution of 1° and a temporal resolution of 6 h have been used to provide the initial and boundary conditions. The model results (spatial resolution of 12 km and temporal resolution of 1 h) have been validated with track data and vertical observations. Maximum sustained wind speed during Thane cyclone was 15 m/s, and made landfall over Tamil Nadu coast. This study investigates the factors which reinforce cyclone genesis, its propagation and atmospheric parameters that prevailed while the cyclone was passing through the coastal region. We have also studied the variations in sea level along the west coast of India during the passage of Cyclone Thane in the Bay of Bengal and east coast of India.</span>