The Flying Body Observation Promotion Center attached to the Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University will proceed with direct observation of typhoons using aircraft in a five-year plan from FY2016.In collaboration with Ryukyu University, Meteorological Research Institute, Taiwan University, and Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan, 5 will be devoted to preparation and inspection flights, and full-scale survey will begin in 2016.
According to Nagoya University, in direct observation, a device called a dropsonde, which measures temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind direction, and wind speed, is dropped from the aircraft to collect observation data.By combining this with the typhoon simulation model developed at Nagoya University, we aim to accurately estimate the intensity of the typhoon and improve the prediction accuracy.
Furthermore, using the precipitation radar, cloud radar, and microscope-equipped balloons and drones owned by Nagoya University, we will observe typhoon clouds, water vapor, particles in the atmosphere, etc., and improve the simulation model.
Storms and heavy rains caused by typhoons occupy the top ranks of storms and floods in Japan, but there are concerns that typhoons will become larger and stronger as global warming progresses. The super typhoon Haiyan, which landed in the Philippines in 2013, caused great damage with more than 7,000 deaths.If the seawater temperature in the sea near Japan continues to rise, it is possible that a super typhoon like Haien will land in Japan.For this reason, typhoon strength observation and course prediction are more important than ever.In order to improve the accuracy of course prediction, which still has uncertainties, it was necessary to improve the simulation model by direct observation by aircraft.
