The role of fractal geometry in assessing typhoon intensity from remote sensing images

Typhoons, as a quintessential turbulent system, exhibit marked fractal characteristics in their structure, intensity, and evolutionary processes. This study integrates satellite remote sensing imagery with conventional meteorological observation data, focusing on Typhoons “Haiyan”, “Rammasun”, and “Yagi” as case studies. Through quantitative analysis using the fractal dimension method, it delves into the correlation mechanisms between typhoon morphological changes, intensity evolution, and fractal dimensions. The findings reveal that abrupt changes in the fractal dimension of typhoons often coincide with rapid shifts in intensity. Specifically, during phases of intense strengthening, the absorption of small convective zones by the periphery of the typhoon leads to a significant increase in the fractal dimension. Conversely, during rapid weakening, the irregularity of the typhoon’s edge intensifies and encroaches toward the center, also causing a rise in the fractal dimension. This suggests that drastic changes in the fractal dimension can serve as indicative features of rapid changes in typhoon intensity. By employing fractal dimension analysis, this research advances understanding of the intricate relationship between the complex structure of typhoons and their intensity evolution, offering novel insights and methodological approaches for typhoon intensity forecasting.