Comparison of the Storm Surge Prediction Models Using Different Atmospheric Forcing for Typhoon CHABA

Abstract

Typhoon-induced storm surges can cause severe damage on the Korean Peninsula, where typhoons typically occur two or three times per year. In the case of Typhoon MAEMI (0314), a storm surge of 2.1 m was observed at Masan Port, causing $4.8 billion US dollars in property damage. Therefore, the accurate prediction of the storm surge heights and peak times of typhoon surges occurring in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula is important for minimizing this damage. Two weather models, Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) and Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) were used to compare storm surges using different atmospheric forcings, and storm surges were calculated using the DElft3D-FM model. By comparing the height and peak time with those of the actual storm, we found that the WRF model results underestimate the actual height and peak time of the typhoon CHABA surge, but the HWRF model is better than the WRF model at predicting the surge height and peak time of the storm surge occurring during typhoon CHABA.