On the Computed Wave Height Distribution of Typhoon : Comparison with other methods

Abstract

In the North Pacific, one of the worst sea condition is occurred in a typhoon as well known. But the knowledge of wave distribution of typhoon has been insufficient mainly due to the lack of observed data. There are, of course, many methods and models to obtain the wave distribution. This paper presents the numerical results computed by the new spectral method, Inoue's model, and describes the differences occurred among Unoki's model, Ijima's method, and ours. Although a symmetrical wind field is used, the computed wave height distributions show no contradiction with the empirical pattern, and following conclusions are obtained, 1) generally, high wave height is seen in the right hand aft quadrant, 2) the faster a typhoon center moves, the more aft high wave height area exists, 3) as the center moves fast, wave heights decrease in all quadrants, 4) in the left hand fore quadrant, the effect of 3) is dominant, and in the right hand aft quadrant, less effect of 3) is seen, that is, wave height decreasing is not big.