Research
Typhoon Modeling
Typhoon is a destructive natural disaster that results in the largest societal damages in Korea. To prevent these damages, accurate prediction is the first priority of our research. HWPL improves accurate short-term forecast of typhoons using dynamical models and super computers. We are developing a numerical typhoon model by adding new techniques such as advanced initialization, improved physical schemes, and higher model resolution to advance typhoon forecast. In addition, the real-time typhoon forecasting has been operated to provide more accurate information and earlier warning of typhoon over the Northwestern Pacific.
Regional Climate Modeling of Future Climate Change
HWPL estimates future climate change by dynamical downscaling with regional climate models (RCMs). We have developed the advanced RCMs based on WRF, MM5 and RegCM4, and applied the models to generate high-resolution regional climate change scenario in Korea and East Asia. Based on the scenarios, we investigate not only the spatial and temporal changes of surface temperature and precipitation but also the intensity and frequency changes of each HIW in the future climate. Also, HWPL has participated into the international CORDEX project supported by WMO/IPCC for the inter-comparison of RCMs’ performance in East Asia region.
Prediction and Understanding of Heavy Rainfall and Severe Snowfall
Heavy rainfall and severe snowfall usually cause significant property damages and fatalities in Korea. We simulate these HIW using a high-resolution numerical weather prediction model (i.e., WRF), and investigate the mechanisms of their formation and development with simulated results as well as various observation (e.g., radar, satellite, GPS, and in-situ). In addition, we improve the predictability of HIW by applying the advanced data assimilation techniques, which improve the initial condition of the numerical model.