The NASA HS3 mission has revealed that Tropical Storm Humberto had a hybrid core structure, characterized by both warm and cold cores at different levels. This discovery provides new insights into the processes underlying hurricane formation and intensity change in the Atlantic Ocean basin.
The Arctic sea ice minimum extent for 2013 reached 1.97 million square miles, the sixth lowest on record, due to a late start of the melt season and cooler temperatures. The remaining sea ice cover is much thinner than it was in previous decades, with an average thickness of only 6.2 feet.
The TRMM satellite has observed heavy rainfall and banding of thunderstorms around System 98W in the northwestern Pacific, indicating potential consolidation into a tropical depression. The system is expected to become a tropical depression within 24 hours as it moves northwards.
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 Manuel brought intense rainfall to northwestern Mexico, causing destruction, and its remnants streamed into southwestern Texas, bringing showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall rates reached up to 2 inches per hour, with potential for heavy rain and mudslides.
System 95L has a high chance of becoming a tropical depression as it moves west-northwestward at 5 to 10 mph. NASA's Global Hawk gathers data on this low-pressure area, which is expected to spread heavy rain over eastern and southern Mexico.
NASA's Global Hawk aircraft is investigating a low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico that has high chances of becoming a tropical depression. Another area near Bermuda is also showing signs of development.
Typhoon Usagi intensified by 65 knots in 24 hours, reaching Category 4 strength with sustained winds of 138 mph. The storm is expected to continue intensifying and pass near Hong Kong on Sept. 22.
TRMM satellite observed heavy rainfall around the storm's center and in a band of thunderstorms north of the center. Hot towers over 9.9 miles high were detected, indicating intense rainfall potential.
Researchers analyzed Europa's cracks to determine if the moon spun around a tilted axis at some point. The analysis suggests that a small tilt of about one degree occurred in the past, which could explain the orientation of the long cracks. This finding may also affect estimates of Europa's ocean age and heat generation.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Humberto resembling the letter "A" due to a cloud-free southern quadrant. The storm has maximum sustained winds near 40 mph and is moving north-northwest with possible strengthening in the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Usagi strengthens with warm sea surface temperatures, moving northwest and passing between Philippines and Taiwan. Forecasters predict Usagi to become a typhoon over the next day.
Tropical Depression 18W formed in the South China Sea and is forecast to quickly make landfall in central Vietnam on September 19. The depression has sustained winds of near 25 knots and is expected to dissipate within a day after landfall.
Tropical Storm Humberto re-formed over two days, with significant changes observed in rainfall patterns by NASA's TRMM satellite. The HS3 mission uses Global Hawk aircraft to investigate storm processes and gather data on the environment of the storm.
A wide band of strong thunderstorms was detected south of Tropical Storm Usagi's center using infrared data from NASA's Aqua satellite. The cloud top temperatures exceeded -63F/-52C, indicating high thunderstorms with potential for heavy rainfall.
TRMM satellite data revealed heaviest rainfall in the Gulf of Mexico, with rates reaching 2 inches per hour, and moderate rainfall stretching inland over eastern Mexico. The remnants of Ingrid are expected to produce significant flooding and mudslides in eastern Mexico, with totals ranging from 10-15 inches.
Tropical Storm Manuel dropped heavy rains causing widespread flooding and landslides that claimed the lives of 21 people. The TRMM satellite's data showed rain totals exceeding 350mm along Mexico's Pacific coast, with some areas experiencing extreme rainfall that forced the closure of Acapulco airport.
Tropical Storm Humberto regained strength after weakening to a remnant low pressure area due to wind shear. NASA's Global Hawk Aircraft gathered data on the environment of the storm, with findings to be analyzed as part of the HS3 hurricane mission.
Tropical Storm Manuel caused powerful thunderstorms that dropped heavy rainfall in southwestern Mexico. The remnants of the storm continued to bring heavy rains to the region after dissipation on Sept. 16.
NASA's GOES project captured three tropical cyclones on September 14, including Tropical Storm Manuel, Ingrid, and the remnants of Hurricane Gabrielle. The satellite images showed all four storms in a single image created by NASA, highlighting their locations and movement.
Typhoon Man-yi made landfall in southern Japan and quickly crossed the big island, dropping heavy rainfall and causing deadly mudslides. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecast track predicts Man-yi will head northeast into the Sea of Okhotsk by Sept. 17.
A team led by NASA's Robert Bindschadler measures the rate at which warm ocean water melts Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier ice shelf from underneath. The study reveals melt rates of up to 2.36 inches per day, with implications for sea level rise and glacier stability.
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.
Tropical Depression Gabrielle is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island as it approaches a cold front. The depression's cloud tops reached temperatures as low as -63F/-52C, indicating potential for severe weather.
Tropical Storm Ingrid has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, bringing heavy rainfall and flash flooding to eastern Mexico. The storm is expected to move slowly along the coast, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and 10-15 inches of rain forecasted over a large part of eastern Mexico.
Residents of Mexico's eastern and western coast are experiencing double tropical trouble as two storms, TD13E and Ingrid, form in the Pacific Ocean. The storms have the potential to drop up to 20 inches of rain, causing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Tropical Storm Man-yi has two distinct vortices rotating around its center, one in the northwestern and southeastern sides. These vortices are associated with strong thunderstorms and deepening convection, indicating strengthening winds.
Hundreds of fires burning in Mozambique and Madagascar were detected by NASA's MODIS satellite on September 11, 2013. The majority of the fires occurred in grass or cropland and are believed to be part of deliberate land management practices.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle regained strength after being weakened by southwesterly wind shear. Another low-pressure system, System 93L, is expected to develop in the Gulf of Mexico, with favorable environmental conditions for its formation.
Hurricane Humberto is expected to weaken due to wind shear and cooler waters. NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image showing the storm's well-organized structure and cloud-filled eye.
Wind shear significantly altered the rainfall pattern of Tropical Storm Gabrielle, with intense storms southeast of Bermuda receiving heavy rain. The storm is expected to weaken due to continued wind shear, which disrupts the heat engine and tilts the circulation center.
Wildfires in Cordoba province, Argentina, cause evacuation of 480 people due to strong winds and heat. Firefighters struggle with flames, one man seriously injured after being struck by a tree.
The Rim Fire remains active in multiple drainages and is expected to spread into Yosemite Wilderness areas. The fire is 80% contained over 255,000 acres affected, making it California's largest fire of the season.
Two NASA satellites, Aqua and TRMM, analyzed Hurricane Humberto's environment on Sept. 10, gathering data on cloud-top temperatures and rainfall rates. The heaviest rainfall was found west of the storm's center, with rates reaching up to 2 inches per hour.
Heavy rainfall was detected south of Tropical Storm Humberto's center with rain rates reaching 2 inches per hour. The storm strengthened to near 65 mph winds and is expected to turn northwest before moving north, posing threat to the Atlantic Ocean season.
The Rim Fire has burned over 254,000 acres in California, with pockets of unburned vegetation continuing to burn. Scientists are studying the fire's remains to determine vulnerable areas to mudslides once the rainy season begins.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected powerful thunderstorms with cloud-top temperatures of -63F/-52C, indicating strong uplift and potential for heavy rainfall. The Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is gathering data on the storm, which is expected to pass over or near Bermuda, producing rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches and a storm surge of 2-3 feet.
NASA's HS3 mission investigated Tropical Storm Gabrielle's remnants near the Bahamas, while Aqua satellite data showed strong thunderstorms strengthening Humberto. Humberto is expected to continue strengthening and potentially become a hurricane.
The Rim Fire has burned over 385 square miles, 80% containment achieved, but low humidity threatens growth. Spot fires remain a concern, with firefighters patrolling to mop up and monitor lines.
Tropical Depression 8 has formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1009 millibars. The depression is expected to become a remnant low-pressure area over the weekend due to its short-lived nature as it moves over land.
The Rim Fire has consumed over 246,000 acres of Yosemite Forest land, prompting concerns about intensifying fire activity and potential resumption of gusty winds. Personnel have been working tirelessly to bring the blaze under control, with six persons injured during the operation.
Tropical Storm Lorena is expected to bring heavy rainfall along Mexico's west coast, with the heaviest rain falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour near Culiacan. The storm's powerful thunderstorms are also producing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
NASA's TRMM and Terra satellites monitored cloud extent and rainfall within Tropical Storm Gabrielle. System 99L shows potential to become a tropical storm near Mexico's east coast, while System 98L remains disorganized in Eastern Atlantic.
Tropical Depression Seven strengthened into Tropical Storm Gabrielle just 70 miles south of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The storm brought heavy rains to Puerto Rico and adjacent islands on September 5.
NASA's TRMM satellite sees 'hot towers' in Tropical Depression 12E, suggesting intensification. The hot towers, which reach altitudes of up to 15 km, are associated with heavy rainfall and a higher likelihood of strengthening within six hours.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle has weakened to a depression by Sept. 5, while three other low pressure areas struggle to develop in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Heavy rainfall is expected in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, with isolated maximum amounts of up to 8 inches possible.
Data from 11 spacecraft shows a change in the direction of the interstellar wind, which may be due to turbulence near our solar system's edge. The heliosphere could be exposed to different directions of wind as it interacts with the local interstellar cloud.
Data from NASA's Global Hawk aircraft assisted forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in analyzing Tropical Storm Gabrielle. The system showed a tilted structure with southerly to southwesterly vertical shear, and dry air in the mid-levels of the atmosphere.
Extra-Tropical Storm Toraji brought heavy rainfall to Japan's big island, with coldest cloud top temperatures and strongest thunderstorms detected by NASA's AIRS instrument. The storm has increased in forward speed and is now being carried by a fast-moving frontal boundary across Japan.
Fires burned extensively across Bolivia in late August, fueled by agricultural blazes. The MODIS satellite captured high-resolution images of the infernos, showing thick smoke plumes blocking visibility.