The following is a sketch of my current research foci:
1. The dynamics of typhoon-terrain interactions:
Understanding how the Taiwan terrain affects the track, intensity, wind structure, and precipitation distribution is one of my key research thrusts. Both observational and numerical studies have been conducted to address this issue (Wu and Kuo 1999, BAMS; Wu 2001, MWR; Wu et al. 2002, Wea. & Forecating; Jian and Wu 2007, MWR; Galewsky et al. 2006, JGR). Work has been conducted to understand the effects of the terrain on the eyewall dynamics and Vortex-Rossby waves of landfalling typhoons (Wu et al. 2003, GRL). The paper has been introduced in the “news and views in brief” column of Nature Magazine in September 2003. A detailed study on the role of the adiabatic process in affecting the eyewall evolution has also been examined (Wu et al. 2009a, MWR). The work highlights how the moist processes enhance the potential vorticity structure and support the eyewall evolution.This study points out the deficiency of the dry barotropic model in describing the detailed eyewall dynamical processes, and provides new insights into the eyewall physics that is consistent with the new theories as described in Montgomery et al. (2008, 2009).The role of terrain in affecting the looping motion of typhoons (channel effect) near the terrain has been demonstrated in Jain and Wu (2008 MWR).This study indicates how the terrain-induced channel effect leads to the unusual looping motion of Typhoon Haitang. The research provides clear insights into the physics of typhoon-terrain interactions, which is also observed in many similar typhoon events near Taiwan.A further study is ongoing to assess the dynamic flow regimes contributing to such processes.
2. The dynamics of typhoon intensity change:
One of the most difficult problems which remains unsolved to date in typhoon research is identifying the physical mechanisms that determine changes in typhoon intensity. We conducted an observational analysis (Wu and Cheng 1999, MWR) to show the role of eddy momentum flux and vertical shear in affecting the intensity change of two different types of typhoons. Both idealized and real-case numerical simulations are being set up to address this critical issue, and a review paper has also been published in MAP (Wang and Wu 2004).An observational study has been conducted to assess the influence of the environmental factors on the typhoon intensity (Zeng et al. 2006, MWR).
3. The dynamics of typhoon-ocean interaction:
This part of work is conducted in collaboration with Dr. I-I Lin. The cooling of the ocean due to the passage of typhoons has been documented from satellite-retrieved SST data. The response to the wind change has also been demonstrated (Lin et al. 2003a, GRL). Meanwhile, a striking interdisciplinary issue on the dramatic bio-response and ocean primary production due to typhoons has also been raised (Lin et al. 2003b, GRL). The above two papers have been introduced in the “news and views in brief” column of Nature Magazine in the 2003 March and August issues, respectively. We have also combined the Sea Surface Height Anomaly data with a simple coupled model (CHIPS) to investigate the role of the warm ocean eddy in the intensity change of Typhoon Maemi (2003) (Lin. et al. 2005, MWR). It is shown that the warm eddy plays a critical role in acting as an efficient insulator and in preventing the storm-induced SST cooling, thus enabling Maemi to maintain its intensity as a super typhoon. This research project has received notable attention in the typhoon research community. The intensification of Hurricane Katrina (2005) is a case in point to highlight the role of warm ocean eddy and the warm Loop Current as depicted in our paper. Inspired by our recent observations, I have been working on a simple, as well as a comprehensive, typhoon-ocean coupled model to study the influence of the ocean mixed-layer structure and the warm current on such feedback problems (Wu et al. 2007a, JAS), as well as that of the typhoon-induced SST cooling on the regional climate. Further work has been ongoing to understand the role of warm and deep ocean gyre and warm eddies as “Super-typhoon Boosters” in the NW Pacific (Lin et al. 2008a, b, MWR; 2009 GRL).
4. Numerical simulation and data assimilation of typhoons:
As described in Wu and Kuo (1999, BAMS), the improvement of our understanding of typhoon dynamics and typhoon forecasting in the Taiwan area hinges very much on our ability to incorporate the available data into high-resolution numerical models through advanced data assimilation techniques. Therefore, I and my team have made considerable efforts in data assimilation research. We have completed observing systems simulation experiments based on the 4-dimensional variational data assimilation to help understand the key variables affecting the initialization and simulation of typhoons (Wu et al. 2006, JAS). The follow-up adjoint sensitivity study can play an important role in identifying important areas and parameters, which should help to construct strategies for adaptive observations. Work has been done to identify the best approach to incorporate the dropwindsonde data and the bogused vortex based on the 3D-VAR and 4D-VAR methods in order to improve the simulation of the track and intensity of typhoons (Chou and Wu, 2008, MWR). This work gives rise to a new method to optimally combine the bogused vortex and the dropwindsonde data for improving the track and intensity forecast of typhoons.A new scheme to improve the typhoon initialization has also been developed based on Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) (Wu et al. 2009).
5. Potential vorticity diagnostics of typhoons
The potential vorticity diagnostics have been designed to understand the controlling factors affecting the motion of typhoons. To highlight the binary interaction processes, a newly proposed centroid-relative track, with the position weighting based on the steering flow induced by the PV anomaly associated with the other storm, has been plotted (Wu et al. 2003, MWR; Yang et al. 2008, MWR). More detailed research is underway to evaluate and to quantify the physical factors leading to the uncertainty of typhoon movements, such as Typhoons Nari (2001) and Sinlaku (2002) (Wu et al. 2004, MWR). This methodology has been adopted by the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) both for research and analysis, and for diagnosing biases existent in the Bureau’s model forecasts.Further work is proposed to gain more insight into the physics of the statistical behavior of typhoon tracks in the entire north-western Pacific region. The impacts of the ITCZ and other large scale circulations on the typhoon tracks are also quantified.
6. Ensemble forecasting of typhoons
Specific numerical forecast experiments were run (Wu, Bender and Kurihara 2000, JMSJ) to understand the systematic bias and error statistics of the hurricane model, and the use of ensemble forecasts to minimize these biases.The relationship between the ensemble spread and the ensemble errors was also highlighted.More recent model forecast data have been collected to construct a more meaningful ensemble forecast for typhoons, which should provide a new ensemble technique other than the so-called super-ensemble.
7. DOTSTAR (Dropwindsonde Observation for Typhoon Surveillance near the TAiwan Region) and targeted observation research
DOTSTAR (Dropwindsonde Observations for Typhoon Surveillance near the Taiwan Region) is an international research program conducted by meteorologists in Taiwan [led by myself, along with Prof. Po-Hsiung Lin of NTU and Dr. Tien-Chiang Yeh of Central Weather Bureau (CWB) as CO-PIs], partnered with scientists at the Hurricane Research Division (HRD) and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This project marks the beginning of a new era for the aircraft surveillance of typhoons in the western North Pacific.
Built upon work pioneered at NOAA's Hurricane Research Division (HRD), the key to the project is the use of airborne sensors -- dropwindsondes, which are released from jet aircraft flying above 42,000 feet high in the environment of a tropical cyclone. These sensors gather temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind velocity information as they descend to the ground surface. Information from the surveillance flights is transmitted in near real-time to the CWB of Taiwan, as well as to the NCEP, FNMOC, and JMA. The data are immediately assimilated into the numerical models of CWB, NCEP (AVN/GFDL), FNMOC (NOGAPS/COAMPS/GFDN), UKMET, and JMA. DOTSTAR is expected to provide valuable data which can help increase the accuracy of TC analysis and track forecasts, to assess the impact of the data on numerical models, to evaluate the strategies for adaptive/targeted observations, to validate/calibrate the remote-sensing data, and to improve our understanding of the TC dynamics, especially over the TC’s boundary layer (Wu et al. 2005, BAMS).
On September 1, 2003, the first DOTSTAR mission was successfully completed around Typhoon Dujuan. NOAA remarked upon the successful collaboration in a press release. On November 2, the second mission was launched, during which the aircraft flew over the center of Typhoon Melor. Ten more flights have been conducted for Typhoons Nida, Conson, Mindulle, Megi, Aere, Meari, Nock-Ten and Namadel in 2004, with 193 dropwindsondes released. An averaged 20% improvement for the 12-72h track forecasts over the NCEP-GFS, FNMOC-NOGAPS, JMA-GSM, their ensembles, and the WRF model has been demonstrated (Wu et al. 2007a, Wea. Fcsting). Seven flights have been conducted for Typhoons Haitang, Matsa, Sanvu, Khanun, and Longwang in 2005, five for Bilis, Kaemi, Bopha, Saomai, and Shanshan in 2006, four for Pabuk, Sepat, Wipha and Krosa in 2007, ten for Fengshen, Kalmaegi, Fungwong, Nuri, Sinlaku, Hagupit, and Jangmi in 2008, and four for Linfa, Morakot, Parma and Lupit in 2009. In total, 45 surveillance flight missions have been conducted for 35 typhoons, with 239 flight hours and 751 dropwindsondes released in the DOTSTAR project.The overall robust statistics of a 20% improvement in numerical models have been shown.
Multiple techniques have been used to help design the flight path for the targeted observations in DOTSTAR: (1) the area with the largest forecast deep-layer-mean wind bred vectors from the NCEP Global Ensemble Forecasting System at the observation time, (2) the Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter, which predicts the reduction in forecast error variance for all feasible deployments of targeted observations, and (3) the NOGAPS singular vectors that identify sensitive regions. Recently we have proposed a new theory (Wu et al. 2007b, JAS) to identify the sensitive area for the targeted observations of tropical cyclones based on the adjoint model. By appropriately defining the response functions to represent typhoon’s steering flow at the verifying time, a unique new parameter, the Adjoint-Derived Sensitivity Steering Vector (ADSSV) has been designed to clearly demonstrate the sensitivity locations at the observing time. The ADSSV are being implemented and examined in DOTSTAR and in the hurricane surveillance program of NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division in the Atlantic in 2005 (Etherton et al. 2006, 27th Conf. on Hurr.). The ADSSV has been further examined in the case of Typhoon Shanshan (2006) (Wu et al. 2009b MWR) where the recurvature of Shanshan caused by the approaching mid-latitude trough is well captured by the signal of ADSSV, and is effectively verified by the potential vorticity diagnosis.This is the first paper where targeted methods have been interpreted dynamically along with the potential vorticity perspective.
An inter-comparison study (Wu 2009c MWR) has been conducted to examine the common features and differences among all the different targeting techniques among the Singular Vectors of JMA, NOGAPS and ECMWF, ADSSV, and ETKF.This work involves great international efforts, coordinated by Chun-Chieh Wu, and integrating inputs from 11 co-authors from NTU, NRL, JMA/MRI, NCEP, ECMWF, NOAA/HRD.This unique comparison provides valuable insights into the dynamic features of each targeted product, and their potential applications in real-time targeted observations.This work waswell recognized in WMO’s third THORPEX Science Workshop in Monterey in September 2009 in the “Session on Targeted observation” by the session chair, Drs. Istvan Szunyogh and Rolf Langland.
Meanwhile, some better methods to combine the dropwindsonde data with the bogused vortex has also been successfully proposed in Chou and Wu (2008, MWR). Overall, DOTSTAR has significantly impacted the typhoon research and operation community in the international arena.
Being recommended as a fully-developed program, DOTSATR is included in the international THORPEX/PARC initiative under the World Meteorological Organization (especially in collaboration with the Japanese program, Typhoon Hunting 2008, TH08, led by Dr. Tetsuo Nakazawa of JMA/MRI; and the US program, “Tropical Cyclone Structure 2008, TCS-08, led by Dr. Patrick Harr of Naval Postgraduate School).This is the first time that four airplanes (two jets for surveillance, and a P-3 and a C-130 for reconnaissance) were used to observe typhoons in the western North Pacific.The unprecedented data collected are valuable for peeking into the physics and dynamics of the genesis, structure change, recurvature, extra-tropical transition, targeting observation, and predictability of tropical cyclones.The DOTSTAR and T-PARC programs had been filmed in a one-hour scientific documentary by National Geographic, which has been aired over 135 countries since June 2009.
As the DOTSTAR research team continues to harvest important data and gain valuable experience, we believe that future typhoon observations will reach full maturity, enabling significant progress in both academic research and typhoon forecasting. It is hoped that DOTSTAR will shed light on typhoon dynamics, improve the understanding and predictability of typhoon track through the targeted observations, place the team at the forefront of international typhoon research, and make a significant contribution to the study of typhoons in the northwestern Pacific and East Asia region.
以下為我的研究重點：
1. 颱風與地形交互作用之動力機制：
台灣地形如何影響颱風路徑、強度及風雨分布一直是我的主要研究領域，特別是利用觀測分析與數值模擬探討此議題 (Wu and Kuo 1999, BAMS; Wu 2001, MWR; Wu et al. 2002, Wea. & Forecating; Jian and Wu 2007, MWR; Galewsky et al. 2006, JGR)。我們目前致力於更高解析度的數值模擬，以瞭解地形對眼牆動力的影響及登陸颱風中 Vortex-Rossby waves 的演變情形 (Wu et al. 2003, GRL)，此成果亦為 Nature 雜誌的 "news and views in brief" 所報導。另外我們也詳細探討非絕熱作用在眼牆演變中所扮演的角色 (Wu et al. 2009a, MWR)。Jian and Wu (2008, MWR) 則使用WRF模式探討2005年海棠颱風登陸台灣前所產生的特殊打轉運動的物理機制，特別是首次針對颱風與地形交互作用所引起的狹道效應(channel effect)提出完整的動力分析。
2. 颱風強度變化之動力機制：
控制颱風強度變化的主要物理機制為何，乃是目前颱風研究最重要的議題之一。Wu and Cheng（1999, MWR）透過資料分析以瞭解環境風切、角動量通量、海表面溫度、外流層及位渦等因素對於颱風強度的影響。我們正在進行更多的理想與真實個案模擬，以進一步解開颱風強度研究的難題。Wang and Wu (2004, MAP) 曾發表一篇相關的回顧論文，Zeng et al. (2006, MWR) 則透過觀測上的研究來了解環境參數對於颱風強度所扮演的角色。Wu et al. (2009b, MWR)則提出颱風在登陸前後眼牆之收縮、破壞及再生成的演變動力過程及其對於颱風結構與強度的影響理論，透過數值模擬探討地形與下表面變化對於颱風眼牆演變的效應，並進一步釐清非絕熱作用在眼牆維持上所扮演之角色，亦針對正壓動力於詮釋眼牆不完整之處提出新的見解，此概念與最新眼牆動力理論所強調對流擾動發展角色一致(如Montgomery et al. 2008, 2009)。
3. 颱風海洋交互作用之動力機制：
颱風與海洋之間的物理、生物及地球化學交互作用，相關機制和過程極為複雜多元，變化的速率也極其快速。這雖然是氣候及環境變遷領域中可能的關鍵性科研議題，在台灣的相關研究卻相當有限。目前最大的挑戰在於定量理解這些物理、生物及地球化學的耦合系統（coupling system）之交互作用（interaction）及反饋（feedback），其中主要方向之一就是探討颱風對海洋初級生產力的影響。因為海洋中的浮游生物影響海洋吸收大氣中二氧化碳的效率，而二氧化碳為重要的溫室效應因子，因此海洋的初級生產力對地球的氣候及環境系統都有重要影響。
TRMM/TMI, QuikSCAT, and SeaWiFS受限於颱風期間無法以船測方式在研究區域內取樣，過去對於颱風引起的生地化反應及初級生產力所受影響，一直無法實施有系統的量化研究。隨著衛星遙測技術的進步，我們正與主導計畫的林林依依博士合作、利用先進多重遙測技術及模式的整合，突破這些瓶頸。使用新的TRMM（Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission）衛星的TMI（TRMM Microwave Imager）設備，將穿透雲的微波表水溫資料、NASA QuikSCAT海水表面風場、NASA SeaWiFS水色資料與海洋模式四者配合，發現了颱風對南中國海初級生產力的顯著影響。
颱風每年提供南海20-30%生產力
Lin et al. (2003, GRL)研究發現2000年7月中度颱風-啟德在南海短暫停留三天的期間，引起海中強烈的湧昇現象，使海平面50公尺以下富含營養鹽的海水上升到海面，使得以營養鹽維生的浮游植物數量遽增，造成葉綠素濃度增加30倍，年度新生產力增加2-4 %。由此結果推測，以南海每年平均有14個熱帶氣團或颱風經過，其對南海年度新生產力可能的貢獻應有20-30% 之劇。如此重大的影響，長久以來科學家卻因缺乏資料數據而忽略不計。上述論文結果亦披載於2003年8月7日Nature Magazine中的news and views in brief。
颱風冷卻海面的同時，每1℃減弱每秒1米(1 m/s)的風速
Lin et al. (2003, GRL)探討颱風過後的後續海氣交互作用過程。熱帶海洋供給颱風生成的能量，颱風形成後又作用(impact)於熱帶海洋，將深層的冷海水攜至海洋表面，促使海水表面溫度降低，衛星觀測發現此冷卻現象可達攝氏6度(℃)之劇，而颱風離開後此冷卻現象繼續留在海面上慢慢消失，整個過程可達兩週。此論文發現，這種颱風引起的海洋冷卻現象會再度反饋至大氣，造成大氣邊界層風速顯著減弱。分析兩個不同颱風個案，發現其有共同性，即1℃的海表溫的冷卻，可以造成風速1米每秒（1 m/s）的減弱。此論文結果也在2003年3月13日刊載於Nature Magazine中的news and views in brief。
我們也使用海表面高度距平 (SSHA) 與一個簡單的海洋耦合模式（CHIPS），探討海洋暖渦旋在颱風強度改變的議題中所扮演的角色 (Lin et al. 2005, MWR)。研究結果獨特顯示一個新的詮釋觀點，即暖渦旋所伴隨之較厚混合層可有效降低颱風引發之海表面溫度冷卻作用，使梅米颱風得以發展並維持於超級強烈颱風強度。2005年卡崔那颶風是海洋暖渦旋與暖洋流改變颱風強度的另一個案例。
受到上述觀測結果的鼓舞，我們也分別使用簡單與複雜的颱風與海洋耦合模式，以瞭解海洋混合層結構在反饋問題上所扮演的角色 (Wu et al., 2007a, JAS)，並進一步探討海洋暖渦所扮演的強烈颱風加強作用角色 (Lin et al. 2008, 2009, MWR; 2009, GRL)。另外，我們將在2010年夏天參加ITOP的颱風海洋交互作用研究。
4. 數值模擬與颱風資料同化：
如Wu and Kuo (1999, BAMS)所述，若想增進對於颱風動力與颱風預報的掌控，便需要進行適當的的資料同化研究，將現有資料與高解析度數值模式加以整合。我們根據4D-VAR資料同化技術進行一系列的觀測系統模擬實驗（OSSEs），對於影響颱風初始化與模擬的主要變數有了更進一步的瞭解(Wu et al. 2002, 25th Conf. on Hurricanes ; Wu et al. 2006, JAS)。我們持續進行的伴隨敏感（adjoint sensitivity）的研究，以共軛模式計算出颱風觀測之敏感區域的創新策略，對於颱風的策略性觀測(adaptive observation)將有重要助益(Wu et al. 2007b, JAS; 2009c,d MWR)，此方法已被採用新一代國際颱風飛機觀測之重要參考。最近也正使用 Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) 研發新的颱風初始化方法。
5.颱風的位渦診斷 :
Wu et al (2003, MWR); Yang et al. (2008, MWR)以位渦診斷計算雙渦旋的交互作用過程。此研究以雙颱風彼此引起的伴隨駛流為權重，重新繪製新的相對質心雙颱風互繞圖，這個方法可以瞭解實際大氣或數值實驗中複雜的多渦旋合併與互動過程。客觀及量化分析影響颱風路徑的主要大氣系統特性，透過建立的嶄新雙颱風交互作用詮釋架構，當可重新瞭解雙颱風互動的過程，了解影響颱風路徑及移動速度變化的物理機制，並得應用以改進與修正雙颱風路徑預報。我們正在繼續進行更多的細節工作，以瞭解及量化導致颱風運動不確定性的因子。
6. 颱風預報誤差分析、偏差修正及系集預報
我們進行特別設計的數值預報實驗 (Wu, Bender and Kurihara 2000, JMSJ)，以瞭解颱風模式的系統性誤差、進行偏差修正、並探討系集預報中預報誤差與系集散佈（ensemble spread）的關係。我們嘗試使用更多模式預報資料，以發展出更有意義的颱風系集預報方法。
7. 追風計畫 (DOTSTAR：Dropsonde Observation for Typhoon Surveillance near the TAiwan Region )
歷年來颱風屢屢造成台灣地區重大災害，颱風研究的重要性不容小覷。國科會於2002年8月起3年內提供相當經費，進行由台大大氣科學系吳俊傑教授所主持的「颱風重點研究」，(National Priority Typhoon Research)。首要研究項目是以「全球衛星定位式投落送」(GPS Dropwindsonde)進行飛機觀測，名為侵台颱風之飛機偵察及投落送觀測實驗（Dropwindsonde Observation for Typhoon Surveillance near the TAiwan Region (DOTSTAR)），又名追風計畫。追風計劃是一跨部會、臺美兩國跨國合作、並由我國研究人員主導的國際研究計畫(由我本人、台灣大學大氣科學系林博雄教授、文化大學周昆炫教授為計劃主持人)，並與美國國家海洋大氣總署所屬颶風研究中心(NOAA/HRD)、國家環境預報中心(NCEP)等共同合作。此計畫使台灣在國際颱風研究領域中進入新的里程碑，扮演西北太平洋及東亞地區颱風研究的領導角色。此先驅實驗亦成功建置國內使用飛機進行其他特殊天氣/氣候/大氣環境之重要觀測平台，例如：高空閃電（追電計畫）、西南氣流（追雨計畫）及空氣污染觀測實驗（追雲計畫）之平台，並圓滿完成世界氣象組織2008年國際聯合颱風觀測實驗（THORPEX/PARC，簡稱T-PARC）。
此計畫將使用ASTRA飛機與機載垂直大氣探空系統(AVAPS)設備，以每架約六小時時間直接飛到颱風周圍42000英呎的高度投擲投落送，以取得颱風周圍關鍵區域的大氣環境資料：溫度、溼度、氣壓以及風速等，所取得的資料會即時傳送至中央氣象局、NCEP、FNMOC以及JMA，並同化至CWB, NECP( AVN/GFDL), FNMOC( NOGAPS/COAMPS/GFDN), UKMET以及JMA等模式中。以期對於颱風分析與路徑預報上提供可貴的資料；增進對颱風動力，特別是邊界層的了解( Wu et al. 2005, BAMS)。其成果更可作為我國及各國未來擬定飛機觀測策略的重大指標，亦有助於推動策略性颱風觀測 (targeted observation)。
民國2003年9月至今，追風計畫已針對杜鵑、米勒、妮妲、康森、敏督利、梅姬、艾利、米雷、納坦、南瑪都、海棠、馬莎、珊瑚、卡努、龍王、碧利斯、凱米、寶發、桑美、珊珊、帕布、聖帕、韋帕、柯羅莎、風神、卡玫基、鳳凰、如麗、辛樂克、哈格比、薔蜜、蓮花、莫拉克、芭瑪及盧碧等35個颱風完成45航次之飛機偵察及投落送觀測任務，總計在颱風上空飛行239小時、並成功投擲751枚投落送。在2008年T-PARC實驗期間，其中如麗、辛樂克、哈格比、薔蜜等4個侵台颱風並與日、德的 Falcon、美國的 P3、C130 等飛機完成超過25架次國際聯合的飛機觀測。這些前所未有的觀測資料對颱風路徑預報、颱風形成、結構演變、路徑偏轉及變性等相關研究具有重大突破。(Wu et al. 2005 BAMS, 2007b JAS; Chou and Wu 2008 MWR; Wu et al. 2009c,d, MWR, Yamaguchi et al. 2009 MWR)。
在觀測的同時，這些寶貴的投落送資料皆即時進入中央氣象局及世界各國氣象單位之電腦預測系統中，協助預測颱風路徑及分析其周圍結構，如暴風半徑（對放颱風假與否具關鍵性影響）。至民國2004年底為止，針對追風計畫所得資料的評估結果顯示，投落送資料平均可以改進美國氣象局、美國海軍及日本氣象廳全球電腦模式24~72小時颱風路徑預測準確度達20%（Wu et al. 2007c, Wea. & Forecating）。另一方面，投落送也已被成功用來驗證及校正衛星與雷達等遙測資料，藉此提升遙測颱風參數的可信度(Chou et al. 2009, JGR)。追風研究團隊也已經在許多國際學術期刊發表成果論文，本人並於2009年領導美、日、韓、中等國相關科學家於AMS的MWR期刊發表“Special Collection on Targeted Observation, Data Assimilation, and Tropical Cyclone Predictability”專刊。
追風計畫研究團隊每一次的觀測飛行路徑都會參考國際上各家模式所輸出的敏感區位置，其中包括：(1) NCEP全球系集預報模式的深層平均風向量 (2) 系集變換卡爾曼濾波器 (3) NOGAPS奇異向量。而近期研究團隊也研發出新的敏感區定義方法：MM5共軛模式敏感駛流向量(ADSSV)並於國際期刊發表獲得肯定(Wu et al. 2007b, JAS; Wu et al. 2009c,d, MWR)。而此方法除了應用在追風計畫外也被NOAA HRD的颱風觀測任務所採用。Chou and Wu(2008, MWR)也提出更佳結合投落送資料與虛擬渦漩之方法。
由國科會所推動的追風計畫，目前的進展相當成功；其中，第一期計畫已經在2005年7月結束，而第二期追風計畫（2005至2008年），在中央氣象局與國科會的合作支持下持續推動。同時，我們也已參與國際大型觀測計畫THORPEX/PARC，在2008年與日本(TH08)、美國等國，共同進行觀測實驗。2010年夏天，我們將參與ITOP的颱風海洋交互作用研究。追風計畫研究團隊一方面期望能對國內科技、民生與防災有重大貢獻，另一方面，則希望做出具突破性的研究成果，並在國際學術研究領域佔有一席之地。
在科普及社會回饋層面，有鑑於追風計畫之學術影響及科普議題性，行政院新聞局於2005年以追風計畫為議題之一，拍攝一部名為「台灣e化、美麗e島」的國家形象紀錄片，此紀錄片於2007年4月獲得美國休士頓國際影展「科技紀錄片類」之銀牌獎。另外，美國國家地理頻道於2007年7月正式通過，利用一年半的時間(2007年夏至2008年底)，拍攝一部以追風計畫故事背景為主、THORPEX/PARC國際實驗為輔，長度為一小時，此紀錄片已於2009年6月在世界一百多個國家播放的科學研究紀錄片，期許對於國際社會及科普有重要的教育意義。