Two NASA satellites collected data on Super Typhoon Vongfong, revealing powerful storms producing heavy rainfall and a wide circular eye. The storm had wind speeds of up to 138 mph, making it a Category 5 super typhoon.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on the thunderstorms expected to bring flash flooding to parts of Arizona and other desert regions in the US Southwest. The National Weather Service warned of up to an inch of rainfall possible across Arizona, leading to potential flash flooding.
Researchers have observed a significant increase in Antarctic sea ice extent, reaching a new record high. This upward trend is an exception to the overall decline of sea ice globally.
Typhoon Vongfong strengthened into a Super typhoon on October 7, with cloud top temperatures indicating high rainfall capabilities. The storm is moving westward, creating massive ocean swells, and forecasters predict it will turn north by October 12.
Typhoon Phanfone brought heavy rainfall to Japan, with the most intense rain occurring west of Tokyo and over the Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan. The TRMM satellite provided near-real-time data on rainfall totals, revealing areas with rainfalls exceeding 275 mm (10.8 inches) in central Japan.
Dr. Paul Mahaffy, a leading expert on Mars chemistry, received the John C. Lindsay Memorial Award for his groundbreaking work on the Curiosity Rover's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument Suite. The award honors his contributions to planetary science and exploration.
Tropical Storm Simon is weakening over Mexico's Baja California, expected to produce 3-5 inches of rainfall with isolated amounts up to 8 inches. Heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding and mudslides, while winds remain a threat.
Tropical Storm Simon is expected to bring heavy rainfall and rough surf to the western United States, particularly the desert Southwest. The National Hurricane Center forecasts storm total rainfall amounts of 3-6 inches in central and northern Baja California and Sonora, Mexico, with isolated areas reaching up to 9 inches.
Typhoon Phanfone made landfall in Japan, bringing powerful winds and heavy rain to the region. At least one Airman is confirmed deceased after being washed out to sea from Okinawa, while two others are missing.
Typhoon Vongfong has exited the Mariana Islands and is now tracking west-northwest towards an area of low pressure. The typhoon has maximum sustained winds near 90 knots and is generating rough seas in the western North Pacific Ocean.
Tropical Storm Vongfong forms in Northwestern Pacific Ocean with NASA's Terra satellite capturing visible image on Oct. 3. The storm is expected to intensify into a typhoon as it moves north of Guam.
NASA's GOES-West satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Storm Simon on Oct. 3, showing strong thunderstorms circling the storm's center and rainfall in western Mexico. The storm is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches with isolated amounts up to 8 inches, causing flash flooding and mudslides.
Typhoon Phanfone formed a large eye with intensifying winds reaching 110 knots (126.6 mph). The typhoon is predicted to peak at 125 knots and then weaken, passing near Tokyo, Japan.
Scientists use NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to study a gigantic filament on the sun, which can last for days or weeks. The filament is 1 million miles wide and appears in different temperatures and wavelengths of extreme UV light.
A NASA animation shows Tropical Storm Simon forming over three days, strengthening into a tropical storm on Oct. 2. The storm is expected to produce 3-5 inches of rainfall with isolated amounts up to 8 inches in western Mexico.
Typhoon Phanfone had a small, pinhole-sized open eye surrounded by a thick band of thunderstorms. The storm was expected to weaken and transition to an extra-tropical cyclone on October 4.
Typhoon Phanfone is expected to make landfall in southern Japan by October 6, with maximum sustained winds near 70 knots (80 mph/129 kph) and heavy rainfall rates of over 76 mm (almost 3 inches) per hour
Tropical Storm Rachel is spinning down west of Mexico's Baja California, with another tropical low pressure area, System 90E, outgrowing it. The National Hurricane Center predicts that System 90E will intensify into a tropical depression by Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The NASA Swift satellite detected a series of powerful stellar flares from the nearby red dwarf star DG CVn, with temperatures reaching 360 million degrees Fahrenheit. The flares were triggered by rapid spin and amplifying magnetic fields, making them one of the longest-lasting events ever recorded.
Tropical Storm Phanfone shows fragmented bands of thunderstorms, with light to moderate rainfall and isolated heavy rain areas. NASA's TRMM satellite provides details on the storm's movement, intensity, and projected path.
The HS3 mission provided a detailed view of the storm's winds, temperature, and pressure throughout its depth. The data revealed that Eduoard was still a strong Category 2 hurricane, possibly Category 3, as it weakened over cooler Atlantic waters.
VAULT2.0 will observe light emitted from hydrogen atoms at extreme temperatures to understand coronal heating. The launch allows for six minutes of observations above the atmosphere, capturing images every six to eight seconds.
Phytoplankton are crucial for fish populations and Earth's carbon cycle, with a perpetual dance between predators and prey affecting their growth cycles. Tiny imbalances in this relationship cause massive phytoplankton blooms, impacting ocean productivity, fisheries, and carbon cycling.
Researchers have produced detailed maps of bedrock beneath glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica with NASA's support, helping to project future changes to ice sheets and sea level. The data will aid computer models used for glacier projection.
Phanfone is now a threat to various islands, with warnings and watches in effect for Saipan, Tinian, Pagan, and Alamagan. The storm is moving west-northwest at 11 knots, with forecasters expecting it to intensify into a typhoon after passing through the Marianas Islands.
Human activities, particularly palm oil production, have led to significant fire emissions in Papua and New Guinea. The cleared land, often drained peatlands, dries out during the dry season, catching fire and releasing substantial amounts of greenhouse gases.
Tropical Storm Kammuri is transitioning into an extra-tropical storm, characterized by a cold core and elongated strong storms moving from southwest to northeast. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 45 knots on Sept. 29, and it is expected to continue weakening over the open ocean.
Hurricane Rachel strengthened into a hurricane on Sept. 27 but weakened back into a tropical storm by Sept. 29. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of the storm before it weakened, showing its organized bands of thunderstorms and cloud-filled eye.
The TRMM satellite identified a strong band of thunderstorms with heavy rainfall northwest of Tropical Storm Kammuri's center, while NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on the entire storm. Cloud top temperatures exceeded -63F/-53C, indicating potential for heavy rainfall.
Agricultural fires in Borneo clear land for palm oil plantations, releasing huge amounts of smoke and contributing to climate change. The fires can also cause severe respiratory problems due to the presence of particulate matter and toxic chemicals.
Tropical Storm Rachel is strengthening with colder cloud tops and increased thunderstorm heights, indicating reduced wind shear, NASA's Aqua satellite reveals. The storm is expected to go through a short period of strengthening before weakening again, primarily driven by changes in wind patterns.
The King Fire in California has burned over 96,000 acres since its start on September 13, 2014. A recent rain system brought minimal fire activity, but a new low-pressure system may impact the fire's spread.
Tropical Storm Kammuri is intensifying as it moves north-northwest through warm sea temperatures, expected to become a typhoon by Sept 27. The Suomi NPP satellite captured visible images of the storm's improving circulation and strong thunderstorms.
NASA's GOES-West satellite captured Tropical Storm Rachel, the 18th tropical depression of the Eastern Pacific. The storm took an oval shape due to wind shear, indicating a disturbance in its circulation. Forecasters predict strengthening over the next couple of days before weakening into a depression.
NOAA/NASA's Suomi NPP satellite provides critical information for aviators about volcanic hazards, enabling early warnings and reducing costly flight diversions. The satellite's VIIRS instrument detects thermal signatures and clouds associated with volcanic activity.
Tropical Depression Fung-Wong's clouds had cloud-top temperatures near -63F/-53C over Japan's northern Ryuku Islands. The depression moved to the northeast at 11 knots (12.6 mph/20.3 kph) before becoming an extra-tropical storm.
Tropical Depression Kammuri intensified on Sept. 24, with strong thunderstorms covering a long area within its elongated circulation. The storm's cloud-top temperatures reached -63F/-53C, potentially generating heavy rain.
The King Fire in California has burned over 92,960 acres since its start in September 2014. The fire is currently 38% contained, with arson as the suspected cause, and is being battled by over 7,600 personnel. Extreme weather conditions, including strong winds and low humidity, are exacerbating the fire's behavior.
Tropical Depression Fung-Wong is transitioning from a tropical to an extra-tropical storm, gaining frontal characteristics. The depression has strongest thunderstorms stretched out in a cold front-like appearance, according to NASA's Aqua satellite data.
Tropical Depression Polo weakened significantly, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 35 mph, and is expected to dissipate by September 26. Swells generated by the storm will subside late on September 22, affecting the southern Baja California peninsula.
In the summer of 2014, wildfires burned an area three times larger than usual in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, with 12,600 forest fires spanning 1.8 million hectares
Hurricane Odile brought extreme rainfall to Mexico's Baja California peninsula and southwestern United States, with estimated totals reaching almost three feet. The TRMM satellite analyzed real-time data to track the storm's impact, revealing highest rainfall totals of over 160 mm in northwestern Texas.
Tropical Storm Fung-Wong moved through East China Sea, weakening to 40 knots near Shanghai, before curving towards South Korea. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects Fung-Wong to become extra-tropical by Sept 24 or 25, leading to dissipation.
Arctic sea ice coverage reached its annual minimum of 1.94 million square miles in September 2014, the sixth lowest recorded since 1978. The summer started cool and lacked intense storms or persistent winds, contributing to the low extent.
The King Fire is an arson-caused fire that began on Sept. 13, 2014, fueled by hot, dry conditions, large amounts of fuel, and winds. It has grown to 82,018 acres in size and is currently 17% contained, prompting evacuations of over 2,800 people
Tropical Storm Fung-Wong continues to affect the Philippines, with NASA's Aqua satellite detecting high thunderstorms and potential heavy rainfall in northern and central regions. The storm is expected to impact Taiwan, China, and Japan over the next several days.
Tropical Storm Polo is moving northwest towards western Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and slow weakening expected. The storm is expected to pass south of the Baja California peninsula on Saturday, but a deviation to the north could bring stronger winds to southern Baja California.
The TRMM satellite detected heavy rainfall rates over 111 mm/h near El Paso, Texas, with thunderstorm tops reaching up to 13 km. The GOES-West infrared image showed a large area of clouds associated with the remnants over New Mexico and Texas, posing a flash flood threat for parts of the region.
Tropical Storm Edouard is weakening, with maximum sustained winds at near 60 mph, and expected to become post-tropical later on Sept. 19. It will then head east and impact the western Azores Islands over the weekend of Sept. 20-21 before turning south.
Hurricane Polo is expected to strengthen before weakening due to northeasterly wind shear on Sept 19. The storm is currently located about 150 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph.