Tropical Cyclone Marcia caused significant flooding and damage in eastern Queensland with rainfall totals reaching up to 300-350mm. The merged precipitation analysis from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center indicates heaviest rainfall areas were off-shore from Lismore, Byron Bay, and Mackay.
The TRMM Precipitation Radar observed Marcia's rapid intensification to category 5 before its expected landfall in Queensland, Australia. The satellite's data revealed a powerful hot tower at the storm's eyewall, which is associated with increased intensification.
Researchers develop a new relationship between soil magnetic properties and precipitation, doubling the potential range of terrestrial paleoclimate applications. This improves understanding of hydrologic conditions in the deep past, leading to more accurate predictions of water availability and ecosystem stability in a warmer world.
A Baylor University geologist has documented a severe decrease in precipitation in northern China 4,200 years ago, leading to desertification and mass migration of Neolithic cultures. The study sheds light on how populations respond and adapt to drastic climate change.
A recent University of Hawaii study reveals heavy rainfall events are increasing in frequency on the Big Island, but decreasing on Oahu and Maui. Climate change is believed to be driving these changes, with extreme rain events more common during La Nina years.
Tropical Cyclone Eunice reached Category 5 status, with the Global Precipitation Measurement satellite capturing intense rainfall and thunderstorms. NASA's RapidScat instrument gathered wind speed data, revealing the strongest winds were on the storm's southwestern quadrant.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission's Core Observatory captured satellite images of the nor'easter storm system, revealing intense bands of snowfall and heavy rainfall rates. The storm brought blizzard conditions to parts of New England, with up to 30 inches of snow falling in some areas.
A team of researchers from KU Leuven has made a significant discovery about the impact of atmospheric rivers on Antarctica's ice sheet. They found that these long, narrow water vapor plumes can rapidly transport large amounts of moisture and cause devastating precipitation when they hit coastal areas.
Tropical Storm Mekkhala's heaviest precipitation was found on its western side, with powerful convective thunderstorms dropping rain at over 2.8 inches per hour. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 57.4 mph on January 16, with public storm warning signals raised in the Philippines.
Scientists will gather data on atmospheric rivers, which produce up to 50% of California's precipitation, and explore how to predict when and where they will hit land. The study aims to improve climate models and inform water management decisions during droughts and floods.
Researchers at TU Darmstadt develop a green method to produce gold nanotubes, suitable for building sensors to measure hydrogen peroxide, with potential applications in medical research and diagnosis. The production process is energy-efficient and uses non-toxic chemicals.
Climate models predict a 50% increase in lightning strikes across the US due to global warming, which will lead to more human injuries and wildfires. The study used precipitation and cloud buoyancy data from climate models and found that these two parameters can predict lightning strikes with high accuracy.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) will cease science operations in April 2015, ending 17 years of rainfall and storm monitoring. The satellite's instruments, including the Precipitation Radar, have provided critical insights into precipitation patterns and their impact on climate, weather, and natural disasters.
TRMM satellite used to estimate rainfall rates from Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo, generating areas with totals over 12 inches. Rainfall estimates developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center show maximum rainfall of 8 inches for Fay and 4-8 inches for Gonzalo
A new software program, SOGP 1.0, enables researchers to reconstruct historical global precipitation patterns, providing insights into major weather events like the Dust Bowl. The tool allows for detailed analysis of oceanic and land-based data, improving our understanding of climate change.
A study by researchers links California's ongoing drought to human-caused climate change, showing a persistent region of high atmospheric pressure over the Pacific Ocean is more likely to form in modern greenhouse gas concentrations. The extreme conditions led to unusually low precipitation and triggered wildfires and air pollution.
Heavy rainfall and intense convective storms were detected by NASA's TRMM satellite in Hurricane Cristobal, with some storms reaching heights of over 9.3 miles and generating heavy rain. The storm is expected to become a powerful extra-tropical cyclone over the North Atlantic by Friday.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that ocean warming causes atmospheric circulation changes, leading to increased heavy rain bands and extreme precipitation events at mid- and high-latitudes. This shift could result in more common, but intense storms in previously rare regions.
Scientists have discovered that the exact chemical make-up of dusty air, including microbes found in it, is crucial to predicting rain events and understanding regional climate. The research could lead to more accurate weather forecasting and improved cloud-seeding technology.
The Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment demonstrated two new radar instruments, improving rainfall measurement. The High-altitude Wind and Rain Profiler and ER-2 X-Band Radar provided a unique capability by capturing how cloud droplets and raindrops move relative to each other.
A recent study by Ren examined the causes of a devastating debris flow in China, which killed over 1000 people. The research found that geological conditions, surface loading, vegetation roots, and extreme precipitation all contributed to the disaster.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers found that plant size and age control most of the variation in plant productivity, not temperature and precipitation as traditionally thought. Climate still plays an important role, but its influence on ecosystem functioning has been revised.
A new model analyzing bird responses to climate change suggests that precipitation, not temperature, is the key factor influencing population trends. The study found that changes in precipitation can affect plant growth, soil moisture, and insect abundance, leading to declines in certain species.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory followed Hurricane Arthur through its full life cycle, providing the first time a precipitation-measuring satellite has been able to capture its structures. GPM data showed Arthur's asymmetrical shape with spiral arms on the eastern side but not on the western side.
Hurricane Arthur made landfall in North Carolina on July 3, bringing powerful 'hot towers' of thunderstorms that indicate strengthening. The TRMM satellite spotted these storms before landfall, providing a 3D view of the hurricane's structure.
The Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory satellite has completed its check-out period and started its mission, collecting observations of rainfall and snowfall. The satellite's two science instruments have been calibrated and are now producing accurate data on weather elements such as thunderstorms.
Tropical Storm Amanda was bisected by NASA's CloudSat satellite on May 25, 2014, showing a deep area of moderate to heavy-moderate precipitation below the freezing level. The storm had become the strongest May hurricane on record for the Eastern Pacific basin before quickly weakening due to dry air and wind shear.
New research shows that the amount of water flowing through rivers in snow-affected areas depends on how much precipitation falls as snowfall. In a warming climate, reduced snowfall leads to decreased river discharge. The study highlights the importance of streamflow for society, including ecosystem stability and hydropower.
System 91B brought heavy rainfall to southern India and Sri Lanka on May 6, with TRMM's Precipitation Radar revealing rates of up to 66 mm per hour. The system has since moved inland over southwestern India, weakening and becoming less organized.
The Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment field campaign aims to better understand mountain weather patterns and improve precipitation measurement. Researchers will combine ground-based measurements with airborne sensors and satellite data to gain insights into the complex processes of mountain rainfall.
A 32-year study in Finnish Lapland found that 90% of moth species are stable or increasing, despite rising temperatures and precipitation. However, warmer temperatures reduced population growth rates, suggesting unknown ecological forces may be masking the negative effects of climate change.
The TRMM satellite provided near-real time precipitation data for Tropical Cyclone Ita, estimating rainfall totals of up to 400 mm in northeastern Australia. The satellite also captured a 3-D image of the storm's structure, showing that some clouds were reaching heights of over 13 km.
A groundbreaking study from the University of Exeter reveals a significant discrepancy between observed and modelled precipitation levels in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes. The study suggests that aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere may be underestimating the impact on regional temperature and precipitation changes.
The NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory has released its first images, capturing precipitation falling inside a March cyclone over the northwest Pacific Ocean. The data show high-quality measurements of global precipitation, including light drizzle, heavy downpours, and falling snow.
A new study by Scripps Institution of Oceanography predicts that some regions will experience an increase of up to 30 more dry days per year due to climate change. This shift in precipitation patterns will have significant impacts on vegetation, soil moisture, and water resources.
The Ground Validation program gathers similar precipitation data on the ground to compare with satellite data, improving models and understanding precipitation physics. Remote campaigns and a Precipitation Science Research Facility supplement GPM data, allowing scientists to monitor precipitation under various conditions.
A new study predicts that most of Europe will experience higher warming than the global average if surface temperatures rise to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. This could lead to increased evaporation and drought in regions like Spain, Portugal, and France, as well as more frequent extreme precipitation events and flood risks.
The TRMM satellite revealed that Tropical Cyclone Guito produced heavy rainfall at a rate of over 50mm per hour in the Mozambique Channel. The satellite data contradicts earlier forecasts predicting landfall, highlighting the importance of accurate weather modeling and monitoring.
Tropical Cyclone Fobane was found to still have powerful convective thunderstorms despite weakening. The TRMM satellite's Precipitation Radar instrument measured rain falling at a rate of over 68 mm/hour, indicating intense activity near the storm's center.
Cyclone Ian has been battered by strong wind shear, causing its bulk of precipitation to shift east and southeast. The storm's temperature varied greatly, with coldest cloud tops near -63F/-52C in some areas.
Research suggests that decreasing winter winds are a primary driver of streamflow declines and reduced precipitation in the Pacific Northwest mountains. This decrease can lead to increased wildfire risk, earlier and lower streamflows, and decreased water availability for communities and industries.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory will track global precipitation by combining measurements from multiple satellites. The satellite has undergone rigorous environmental tests and integration to ensure its survival in space.
NASA's TRMM satellite monitored Tropical Storm Melissa's transition to a tropical storm, revealing intense rainfall rates of up to 55 mm/hour. The satellite's Precipitation Radar data also showed the storm's structure, including towering convection near its center.
Cyclone 03A has made landfall in Somalia, causing heavy rainfall and powerful surge, with NASA satellites tracking its movement and impact.
A new study by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists shows that global precipitation changes are directly affected by human activities and cannot be explained by natural variability alone. The research found that thermodynamic changes and shifts in atmospheric circulation patterns are contributing to the observed changes.
A new study finds that geoengineering approaches to mitigate global warming could result in reduced rainfall and snowfall worldwide. The research suggests that these techniques would not only fail to address the root problem of climate change but also have unintended consequences, such as altered regional precipitation patterns.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Raymond is causing widespread flooding along Mexico's Pacific Ocean coast, with precipitation rates reaching up to 153 mm/hour. The National Hurricane Center warns of hurricane-force winds, storm surges, and coastal flooding due to the storm's stationary motion.
Typhoon Francisco is expected to make a brief landfall near Tokyo as it moves towards Japan. NASA satellites captured detailed data on the storm's structure and rainfall patterns, revealing extreme precipitation rates of over 207 mm per hour in violent storms southwest of its eye.
Typhoon Usagi maintained its inner-core structure with a ~50 km eye wall before landfall on Sept. 22, 2013. Radar data showed updrafts fell short of forming lightning in the inner core.
Supertyphoon Usagi's rapid intensification by 65 knots in just 24 hours is more than twice the threshold for defining such an event. The storm's well-organized structure and efficient heat engine contribute to its extreme behavior.
Super-Typhoon Usagi is a powerful storm that has affected the Philippines and Taiwan with heavy rain and strong winds. NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites captured detailed images of the storm's eye and cloud structure, revealing strong thunderstorms and rainfall rates of over 5.5 inches per hour.
Hurricane Humberto's strongest precipitation was concentrated in the northwestern quadrant due to intense southwesterly wind shear. The storm is expected to weaken to a tropical storm late on September 13, with winds near 75 mph and shifting trajectory towards the west-northwest.
A new study by Prof. Sarah Kang found a significant relationship between ozone depletion and extreme daily precipitation in the Austral summer. The research used two global climate models to analyze the impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on precipitation patterns.
Tropical Storm Fernand's heavy rain caused mudslides in Mexico, resulting in 13 deaths. NASA's TRMM satellite gathered data on the storm's precipitation, which was used to estimate TMPA rainfall totals and monitor damages across 19 municipalities.
Tropical Storm Pewa's wind shear has pushed precipitation away from its center, resulting in a weakening storm. Cloud top temperatures have warmed up, indicating the uplift in Pewa was waning by August 23.
Research highlights the connection between atmospheric rivers and severe precipitation in Western Europe. A study found that these rivers are also responsible for high precipitation events in mountainous areas, with significant impacts felt as far inland as Germany and Poland.
Researchers at Brown University found evidence of orographic precipitation causing water-carved valleys on Mars, indicating ancient snowfall. The study's findings shed light on early Martian climate and atmosphere.
Increased precipitation and changes in forest structure in Argentina's forests are leading to higher rates of parasitic fly infection in young birds. This study found that slight changes in precipitation and vegetation structure, coupled with crowding of nests, result in large increases in the number of parasites per chick.
A new study developed a robust model for predicting corn yields using easily obtained measurements, such as plant morphology and precipitation. The model was tested across multiple environments and found accurate results, providing valuable insights for farmers and biofuel industries.
Tropical Storm Andrea featured towering thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures above -63F (-52C) and heaviest precipitation over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and southeastern Florida. TRMM satellite data revealed a large area of moderate to heavy rainfall in the storm's northeast quadrant, spreading over Florida.