Super Typhoons Mangkhut (2018) and Saola (2023) during landfall: comparison and insights for wind engineering practice

Abstract. Offshore wind turbines are considerably sensitive to wind effects, and wind information of tropical cyclone (TC) lays the basis for their wind-resistant design and anti-TC operation especially in TC-prone areas. While the statistical characteristics of TCs have drawn continuous concerns, the specific features of some typical TC events, which are of practical importance for the daily operation of marine turbines, receive less attention in the wind engineering community. Super Typhoons Mangkhut and Saola are two of the strongest TCs impacting South China. Notably, although Saola was reported to be more intense than Mangkhut, it resulted in much less severe impact and damage. This article presents a comparison study on these two TCs based on comprehensive usage of field records. Results suggest that both Mangkhut and Saola exhibited a concentric eyewall structure during development, but Saola completed the eyewall replacement before landfall, whilst Mangkhut failed to. Consequently, Saola evolved into a more intense and compact storm. By contrast, Mangkhut decayed consistently but still exerted extensive impact over a wider area. Consistent with these features, the wind characteristics of Mangkhut and Saola also demonstrated noteworthy discrepancies. These findings provide useful insights for operation and maintenance strategies of coastal and offshore wind turbines.