Surface Gravity Wave Modeling in Tropical Cyclones

Tropical cyclones are among the deadliest geophysical phenomena on earth. Tropical cyclone-generated wave fields are of interest both scientifically for understanding wind–wave-ocean interaction physics and operationally for predicting potentially hazardous conditions for ship navigation and coastal regions. This chapter briefly reviews the development of third generation wave models, the improvements of their input/dissipation source functions, and their applications in tropical cyclone generated surface wave predictions. Discussion on the status of coupled atmosphere-wave-ocean modeling in tropical cyclone predictions are given at the end of the chapter prompted by the growing scientific evidence on the importance of sea state on air-sea fluxes under extreme wind conditions.