Surface Wave Developments under Tropical Cyclone Goni (2020): Multi-Satellite Observations and Parametric Model Comparisons

Simple Summary Multi-satellite observations to jointly analyze extreme surface wind and wave properties can now be readily obtained to study tropical cyclone (TC) events. Developing over the Philippine Sea, TC Goni was one of the most powerful TCs in 2020. Constrained by Sentinel-1/RadarSat-2 SAR and CFOSAT SCAT satellite data, wind field in the intense TC region is reconstructed. Significant wave height measurements are further obtained from altimeters on-board the CFOSAT, Jason-3, and Sentinel-3A, B satellites. The directional wave spectrum information can be derived from the CFOSAT SWIM off-nadir radar measurements. Using a simplified 2D parametric model and derived self-similar analytical solutions, the measured surface wave amplification in the right-hand TC sector, relative to its propagation direction, is well captured and interpreted. For TC Goni, observed and predicted waves reach 8 m and wavelengths larger than 200 m, leaving the TC inner region in the forward and forward-left direction. In the far TC zone, swell attenuates and superposes with wind waves, not necessarily aligned, to give observed significant wave height values. Multi-satellite data together with simplified parametric model outputs open new perspectives to more precisely study and predict surface waves generated by moving and rapidly evolving TCs for different scientific and practical purposes. Abstract Over the Philippine Sea, the tropical cyclone (TC) Goni reaches category 5 on 29–31 October 2020. Multi-satellite observations, including CFOSAT SWIM/SCAT and Sentinel-1 SAR data, are jointly analyzed to assess the performances of a parametric model. Recently developed to provide a fast estimation of surface wave developments under rapidly evolving TCs, this full 2D parametric model (KYCM) and its simplified self-similar solutions (TC-wave geophysical model function (TCW GMF)) are thoroughly compared with satellite observations. TCW GMF provides immediate first-guess estimates, at any locati