August 2011
Storm Chasing:
Taiwan SeaSonde Network Typhoon
Observations
| Routine measurement of the powerful
Kuroshio western boundary current isn’t exciting enough,
the Long-Range SeaSonde network operating along Taiwan’s east
coast occasionally captures the effects of powerful typhoons
migrating through the Pacific. |
 |
Above: Track of center of Typhoon Fanapi.
Courtesy of Center Weather Bureau.
|
In the Autumn of 2010 these three radars, which are part of a larger SeaSonde network
established by the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI), measured the effects of
Typhoon Fanapi on the ocean surface currents, as well as measuring the impact this
event had upon waves in the area. These results were presented at the 5th Radiowave
Operator’s Working Group (ROWG-5) meeting in Santa Barbara, California this past
April 2011.
|
Significant waveheight produced by the northernmost
of the
Long-Range SeaSondes (HOPE) during
Typhoon Fanapi
passage. Each of the three plots
are wave measurements from
a different range cell.
The maximum wave height is about 15m.
|
TORI, established in 2008, is part of
the National Applied Research
Laboratories, supported by the
National Science Council of Taiwan.
The HF radar program was initiated
nearly immediately upon TORI
establishment and is one of the
organization’s initial foci. Phase 1 of
the TORI radar program calls for 16
SeaSondes, with
|
TORI SeaSonde in Taiwan
|
10 of those already
in place.
The data from this network will be
provided to various organizations for
research and application use,
especially for search and rescue.
Below: Offshore vectors are surface currents measured by three Long-Range
SeaSondes on Taiwan’s east coast. Each radar location is represented by a red star (HOPE, LUYE & SHIA). The green line is the
typhoon eye track. The location center of typhoon (seen in satellite data) and the ocean vortex shown in the CODAR data match
well, with currents having been affected by the strong typhoon winds.
For further information contact CODAR local sales and technical services partner based in Taipei, Taiwan, Mr. Alan Chuang of
Sino Instruments Co. Ltd.,
e-mail: [email protected]
 |
