Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2020.

Dear Colleagues,

Tropical Cyclones (TCs) are among the most destructive natural hazards over the globe. The observations (satellite, airborne, and in situ) and various methods of assimilating those observations are cornerstones of the effort to understand dynamical and physical processes, along with the ability to use this knowledge to advance analyses and predictions.

The focus of this Special Issue of Atmosphere is specific to the state-of-the-art and advancements in both numerical modeling (i.e., numerical weather prediction, NWP) and the usage of observations (i.e., data assimilation, DA) specific to the improvement of tropical cyclone (TC) predictions. The list of subjects includes recent advances in observations, DA and modeling of TCs with detailed and advanced information on genesis, movement, structure, intensification including rapid intensification (RI) and rapid weakening (RW), and prediction of TC related impacts (e.g., storm surge, flooding, inundation). Specifically, it deals primarily with: (1) satellite data observations and applications in TC analysis and forecasts; (2) advances in NWP for TC predictions; (3) advanced DA methods for TCs and vortex initialization techniques; (4) ocean, wave, surge, and inundation coupling, and (5) advanced research in physical parameterizations and dynamical processes for TCs.

We are interested in submissions on any of the topics listed above which are specific to improvements and innovations for both the high-spatial resolution NWP of TCs as well as the improvements upon existing or the usage of newly available observation platforms. Further, manuscripts should clearly illustrate applications and results for the improvement of forecast skill for track, and intensity (including RI/RW) and structure prediction at several days’ forecast lead times.

Consideration will be given to NWP studies that demonstrate forecast skill metrics, and their respective applicability to the existing operational TC forecasting systems. Attention will also be given to DA studies which demonstrate forecast impacts using existing and/or new observation types. Some possible topics include (but are not limited to) ground-based radar (i.e., NEXRAD), cloud-contaminated radiances, atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs), and airborne reconnaissance mission collected observations.

Manuscripts may present original research or reviews of the state-of-the-art of the science, thereby providing context to the current research and the direction in which the modeling and data assimilation for TCs should be moving.

Dr. Vijay Tallapragada
Dr. Henry Winterbottom
Dr. Zaizhong Ma
Guest Editors