Hurricane Lane's eye has become cloud-filled, resembling being punched in the eye, due to powerful thunderstorms surrounding it. Cooler waters and increased wind shear are forecast to weaken the storm further, leading to its eventual dissipation by Wednesday.
The ER-2 aircraft will fly test models of two future satellite instruments, the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) and the Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar (MABEL), to gather data on clouds and aerosols. These instruments will be used to improve studies of aerosol transport and cloud motion.
Tropical Storm Nadine strengthened to a hurricane on September 14 and weakened back to a tropical storm on September 16. NASA's Global Hawk aircraft investigated the storm, capturing data using instruments and dropsondes, while satellites obtained imagery from space.
Tropical Storm Kristy weakened to a remnant low pressure area while Hurricane Lane strengthened into a hurricane, according to NASA's Terra satellite observations. Lane exhibited a tighter circulation than Kristy, prompting warnings of life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in southern and central Baja California.
Typhoon Sanba made landfall in southern South Korea on Sept. 17, causing power outages, canceled flights, and ferries. The storm's extensive cloud cover stretched from South Korea to eastern Siberia, affecting over 67,000 homes in Japan.
NASA's TRMM satellite observed intense rain falling at 3 inches per hour around Super Typhoon Sanba, with powerful hot towering thunderstorms near its center. The storm is expected to make landfall on South Korea's south coast on September 17.
Tropical Storm Kristy is weakening due to adverse atmospheric conditions and cooler waters, while another system is developing with a 50% chance of formation over the weekend. Environmental conditions are expected to improve for the second low-pressure area, but satellite data shows it has become disorganized.
Tropical Storm Nadine continues to battle wind shear and dry air that are keeping it under hurricane status, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. Satellite imagery shows Nadine has grown in size but appears more ragged and disorganized, with decreasing convection around the center of circulation.
Tropical Storm Nadine is battling wind shear and dry air, which are hindering its intensification. Despite reaching near-hurricane strength, the storm lacks symmetry in its cloud pattern, a crucial factor for hurricane formation.
Sanba intensified from Tropical Storm to Super Typhoon on Sept. 12-13, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing infrared data showing massive thunderstorms and heavy rain over the western North Pacific. The storm featured a large eye surrounded by strong convection and strong thunderstorms, consistent with an annular typhoon
NASA's Global Hawk aircraft and satellites closely monitored Tropical Storm Nadine's development, capturing detailed data on wind patterns, rainfall rates, and storm structure. The storms were analyzed using a combination of NASA satellites, including TRMM, GOES-13, and Aqua.
NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument captured an infrared image of System 90E, revealing strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The low-pressure system strengthened into Tropical Depression 11E, forecasted to move west-northwest towards the coast.
The mission aims to study the processes that underlie hurricane formation and intensity change. The data collected will help scientists decipher the relative roles of large-scale environment and internal storm processes.
Tropical Storm Leslie has moved away from Newfoundland, becoming a post-tropical cyclone as it skirts southern Iceland. In contrast, Tropical Storm Michael is weakening due to its location over cool waters and strong wind shear, forecast to become absorbed by a front soon.
The MAVEN mission is transitioning to its final phase ahead of launch on November 18, 2013. The spacecraft and instruments are nearing completion, with a focus on getting everything ready for launch and making science measurements on the Martian upper atmosphere.
Tropical Storm Leslie and Hurricane Michael are being closely monitored by NASA, with Leslie now past Bermuda and Michael weakening due to cooler waters. Leslie is expected to transition from a warm core system to a cold core system, while Michael's weakening is attributed to atmospheric conditions and ocean temperatures.
NASA's Global Hawk aircraft has begun flying over Hurricane Leslie in the Atlantic Ocean, collecting data on hurricane formation and intensification. The mission will help researchers understand the relative roles of large-scale environment and internal storm processes in shaping hurricanes.
NASA satellites captured stunning visible and infrared images of Hurricane Michael's eye, revealing clear views of the Atlantic Ocean. The storm's cloud top temperatures cooled around its center on September 7.
Hurricane Leslie appears to be 'closing its eye' on NASA satellite imagery, a sign of weakening, and dropped from hurricane to tropical storm on Sept. 7. The storm is expected to move northward, potentially regaining hurricane status over the weekend.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured two images of Hurricane Leslie on Sept. 5, just as it was being re-classified from a tropical storm to a hurricane. The MODIS and AIRS instruments provided infrared and visible imagery of the storm, showing an eye had formed in Leslie.
Hurricane Isaac brought beneficial rain to drought-stricken regions in the Midwest, with rainfall totals ranging from 40-120 mm. The storm also caused significant flooding in Haiti and southeastern Florida, resulting in fatalities and property damage.
NASA's TRMM satellite observed intense rainfall and towering thunderstorms in Hurricane Michael, indicating a potential intensification. Over the next 24 hours, Michael's maximum sustained winds more than doubled from 50 mph to 115 mph.
Tropical Storm Leslie is experiencing slow strengthening due to cooler ocean waters kicked up by its slow movement, sapping its strength. The storm is also battling weaker wind shear, which has been gradually decreasing, allowing it to potentially reach hurricane status later in the day.
Tropical Storm Michael showcased strong thunderstorms in its northeastern 'arm' with cloud top temperatures reaching -63 Fahrenheit (-52 Celsius), indicating heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to continue moving northeast and may strengthen into a hurricane by Friday due to relaxing wind shear.
Post-tropical cyclone John's cloud top temperatures warmed by 24 hours, with one tiny area of convection remaining. The remnants of the storm are moving northwest and expected to dissipate later today.
Tropical Storm Michael formed on Sept 4 with winds of near 40 mph, struggling to intensify like sister storms Leslie and Isaac. Remnants of Isaac blanket the US east coast, while Leslie heads towards Bermuda, larger in size than Michael.
Tropical Storm John existed for only one day, intensifying from a depression to a storm and weakening back into a depression. NASA's Aqua satellite observed convection and cloud top temperatures, but these features diminished as the storm moved north into cooler waters.
Tropical Storm Leslie showed little change in form and strength over a 22-hour period, with maximum sustained winds remaining near 60-65 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by the end of the week as wind shear relaxes.
NASA's TRMM satellite spotted hot towers around Ileana's center, indicating a strong increase to hurricane status. The storm strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 80 mph within 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Kirk intensified into a hurricane on Aug. 30, becoming the fifth of the season, while Tropical Depression 12 formed in the central Atlantic Ocean. TD12 is expected to strengthen over warm waters and potentially become a hurricane by Sept. 2.
Tropical Storm Isaac is bringing heavy rainfall and a storm surge to the US Gulf Coast region and lower Mississippi River Valley, with NASA satellites providing critical data on rainfall rates and intensity. The National Hurricane Center expects prolonged flooding in the affected area, with total rainfall amounts of 7-14 inches expected.
The LRO radar has detected small patches of ice in the walls of Shackleton crater, with estimates suggesting they could make up at most 5-10% of the material by weight. This finding supports the possibility that permanently shadowed lunar craters are sites for water accumulation.
Tropical Storm Tembin made landfall in southwestern South Korea, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing the storm's elongated cloud cover. The storm's central convection was decaying rapidly due to southwesterly wind shear, losing its energy.
Tropical Storm Kirk is strengthening due to powerful thunderstorms and will likely turn into a hurricane over the weekend, according to NASA infrared imagery.
Hurricane Isaac made two landfalls in southeastern Louisiana, causing widespread flooding due to its slow movement and intense energy from warm Gulf waters. The storm also brought isolated tornadoes as it moved inland, posing a significant threat to the region.
Tropical Storm Bolaven made landfall on Aug. 28, moving quickly over land while transitioning into an ex-tropical storm. NASA's Terra satellite captured the remnants of Bolaven mostly centered over eastern China.
Tropical Storm Bolaven is generating heavy rainfall and has been causing concern for flooding as it makes landfall in North Korea and southeastern China. The storm's cloud cover was extensive, blanketing the region with heavy precipitation rates greater than 75 mm/hr.
Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to make landfall in the US Gulf Coast, bringing storm surge and heavy rainfall. NASA satellites are providing critical data for forecasters to track the storm's progress.
Scientists tracked shuttle exhaust to study atmospheric winds and polar mesospheric clouds. The plume spread faster than expected, forming unusual bright high-altitude clouds near the Arctic.
Hurricane Isaac is expected to bring heavy rain and storm surge to the northern Gulf Coast. The large storm system poses a threat for flooding due to its slow movement over Louisiana, and residents are bracing for the arrival of the hurricane.
The Arctic sea ice extent has reached a new record low, with scientists attributing the decline to warmer temperatures. The minimum summertime extent of the sea ice is now 27,000 square miles below its peak in 2007.
Tropical Storm Isaac is showing signs of consolidation according to NASA's infrared time series data, indicating a more organized circulation center. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane over warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Typhoon Bolaven appears twice as large as Typhoon Tembin in a stunning image from NASA's Aqua satellite, with Bolaven's visible eye dominating the scene. Both storms show strong uplift and cold cloud top temperatures, indicating intense storm activity.
Heavy rainfall observed by NASA's TRMM satellite over Tropical Storm Isaac poses significant risks to the eastern Caribbean, particularly Hispaniola and Cuba. The storm is expected to bring extreme rainfall totals of 8-12 inches, with isolated amounts reaching up to 20 inches.
Tropical Storm Tembin made a quick track across southern Taiwan before re-emerging over the open waters of the Philippine Sea. The storm has strengthened and expanded since crossing the island, with tropical-storm-force winds extending out 170 miles from its center.
Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Eastern Caribbean, according to NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite. The storm has weakened slightly since its formation in August, but remains a tropical storm with sustained winds near 40 mph.
NASA has detected a newborn Tropical Storm Joyce in the Central Atlantic, with organized circulation and cold cloud top temperatures indicating strength. The storm is being affected by a dry Saharan air layer, which is unusual for tropical cyclones, and is expected to follow a southern edge of high pressure over the ocean.
Typhoons Tembin and Bolaven continue to churn in the Philippine Sea, with Tembin showing a wide area of very high cloud top temperatures and Bolaven strengthening into a typhoon. Bolaven is expected to intensify further, moving northwest and posing a significant threat to the region.
Tropical Storm Isaac is bringing heavy rainfall to the Lesser Antilles, while Tropical Depression 10 forms east of Isaac. Both storms are showing good circulation and are expected to strengthen in the coming days.
Typhoon Tembin is intensifying and moving towards Taiwan, with forecasted landfall on August 23. Tropical Storm Bolaven is also strengthening and expected to become a typhoon as it heads northwest around August 25-26. Both storms are being closely monitored by NASA satellites.