Abstract: Typhoon Meranti (1010) intensified rapidly after entering Taiwan Strait,and reached its peak just before landfall.Based on the best track data provided by Shanghai Typhoon Institute,China Meteorological Administration,the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Forecast System reanalysis data on 0.5°×0.5° grids and numerical experiments,we investigate the effect of the mesoscale systems induced by the topography of Taiwan on the rapid intensification of typhoon Meranti (1010).Results indicated that the topography of Taiwan induced a couple of mesoscale vortexes and disturbance wave trains,which helped intensify the vertical motion in the circulation system of typhoon after it entered Taiwan Strait.A diagnostic analysis of moisture and heat budgets demonstrates that the strong vertical motion is favorable for upward transport of heat and moisture,which promotes the development of cumulus convection.The latent heat release in deep cumulus convective clouds plays an important role for the intensification of Meranti.In addition,the kinetic energy exchange between Meranti and the mesoscale systems are calculated.The results indicate that the conversion from mesoscale kinetic energy to TC kinetic energy provides the main energy source for the rapid intensification of Meranti.The meso-scale systems induced by the topography of Taiwan intensify the vertical transport of eddy kinetic energy,leading to significant increases in TC kinetic energy and eventually the TC intensification.However,numerical sensitivity experiments show that the mesoscale systems will disappear if the topography of Taiwan is removed.In this situation,upward transport of moisture and heat and cumulus convection all distinctly decrease and TC Meranti cannot intensify rapidly.