Research on clouds and the atmosphere. Covers Southern Ocean clouds, ocean-derived aerosols, sea-ice cloud formation, and dust after impacts.
Tropical Cyclone Nilofar is being affected by strong southwesterly wind shear, causing clouds to be pushed away from its center. The storm is currently moving through the Arabian Sea with maximum sustained winds near 90 knots.
Post-tropical cyclone Ana's remnant clouds are causing heavy rain and strong gusts in British Columbia, Canada. Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for several regions, with sustained winds near 21-29 mph (34-47 kph) reported at major airports.
Scientists have discovered an unexpected high-altitude methane ice cloud on Saturn's moon Titan, similar to those found near Earth's poles. The cloud formed in the stratosphere, well above cruising altitude, due to temperature differences between latitudes, allowing methane ice to condense and form.
Tropical Storm Ana has re-organized due to abating southwesterly wind shear, allowing thunderstorms to circulate around its center. The storm is expected to continue strengthening through early Saturday, moving northward and potentially becoming a hurricane.
Tropical Storm Ana was impacted by strong southwesterly wind shear, causing the bulk of clouds and showers to be pushed north and east of its center. The storm's minimum central pressure is estimated at 1005 millibars, with forecasters predicting some strengthening through early Friday.
Tropical Storm Ana is still affecting parts of Hawaii on October 20, according to NASA's Aqua satellite imagery. The storm's eastern quadrant covered the islands of Kauai and Niihau, with strong southwesterly wind shear pushing clouds and showers north and east of the center of circulation.
The storm formed near Mexico's southwestern coast on Oct. 18, triggering warnings and watches before weakening to a remnant low pressure area within 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Ana made a slow track west of the Hawaiian islands before moving away and heading towards the northwest Hawaiian islands. The storm's clouds were captured by NASA's Terra satellite on October 19, revealing its strongest thunderstorms in the eastern and western quadrants.
Tropical Storm Ana is nearing hurricane strength and expected to become a hurricane before reaching the Big Island of Hawaii. The storm's outer clouds are already affecting the island, causing heavy rainfall and potentially life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Hurricane Gonzalo remains a Category 4 hurricane with strong thunderstorms surrounding its cloud-free eye. The National Hurricane Center forecasts dangerous conditions in Bermuda, including hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall.
Hurricane Gonzalo has become a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic, its first major hurricane in three years. According to NOAA's GOES-East satellite imagery, Gonzalo features tightly wrapped bands of thunderstorms spiraling into its center.
Extra-Tropical Storm Vongfong transitioned into an extra-tropical storm early on Oct. 4 as its core changed from warm to cold while being monitored by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm was located near 29.1 north latitude and 142.9 east longitude, about 111 nautical miles southeast of Misawa, Japan.
Hurricane Gonzalo has intensified into a hurricane, with powerful thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The storm is forecasted to become a major hurricane and make landfall on the island of Bermuda.
Tropical Storm Fay has begun extra-tropical transition, weakening from hurricane status. The National Hurricane Center expects Fay to merge with a frontal zone and become an extra-tropical cyclone by tonight.
Cyclone Hudhud is forecast to peak near 115 knots before quickly weakening, dissipating over land on Monday. The storm has strengthened in the last day, indicated by cloud top temperatures dropping and stronger thunderstorms developing.
NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites provide forecasters with detailed data on Super Typhoon Vongfong's cloud extent, rainfall rates, and distribution. The storm is expected to slowly weaken as it moves north, passing just east of Okinawa before turning northeast and changing to an extra-tropical cyclone over Japan.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt found that dimethylamine can greatly enhance the formation of aerosol particles from sulfuric acid, creating 'neutral molecular cluster' formations. This process could influence Earth's climate by affecting cloud condensation nuclei and precipitation patterns.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Boston University's SCOPE project aims to improve urban life through a smart-city cloud-based open platform. The platform will offer services such as traffic congestion management, energy monitoring, and public safety services.
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.
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 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.
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.
The NASA HS3 mission is studying the changing profile of the atmosphere to learn more about how hurricanes form and strengthen. The CPL instrument provides a two-dimensional picture of cloud and aerosols, allowing scientists to discriminate between different types of particles and improve hurricane models.
Tropical Storm Polo is intensifying with strong thunderstorms and high cloud top temperatures near -63F/-53C, potentially generating heavy rain. The storm's center was located near latitude 12.8 north and longitude 99.4 west, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and a predicted strengthening into a hurricane by Thursday.
Scientists are using NASA's Global Hawk aircraft and satellites to study the structure of Hurricane Edouard, including its cloud tops and aerosol content. The mission aims to understand the storm's potential for heavy rainfall and track its movement.
The TRMM satellite detected powerful thunderstorms near Odile's center, dropping rain at a rate of over 196 mm/h. The combined data from TRMM and Aqua satellites showed the coldest cloud tops in storms circling Odile's center, with temperatures as low as -63F/-53C.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected Tropical Depression 15-E on September 10, which strengthened into Tropical Storm Odile shortly after. The storm is expected to create swells and rough surf along Mexico's southwestern coast over the next day or two.
Tropical Storm Fengshen is transitioning into an extra-tropical storm, with its clouds and winds extending northeast of the center. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts it will move east-northeasterly over open waters for several days.
Tropical Storm Fengshen, approximately as long as Japan's main island, skitters the east coast with strong thunderstorms. The storm is expected to intensify into a typhoon and undergo extra-tropical transitioning as it moves away from Japan.
Tropical Depression 14W made landfall in southeastern China on September 8 after forming in the South China Sea. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data showing a powerful storm with cold cloud top temperatures near -63F/-52C.
Tropical Storm Dolly, a storm named after the famous country singer, is making its second landfall in Mexico due to the revolving list of hurricane names. NASA's satellite data shows the storm is expected to cause heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Tropical Storm Marie has weakened significantly due to the presence of cooler waters, with its strongest thunderstorms located in the southern quadrant. The storm's cloud tops have warmed, indicating a decrease in its strength.
Tropical Storm Karina weakened due to strong wind shear from Hurricane Marie, according to NASA satellite data. Karina's maximum sustained winds dropped to 40 mph on August 25 as it moved east-southeast around the western edge of Marie.
Tropical Storm Cristobal formed near the southeastern Bahamas on August 24, with NASA's Aqua satellite and NOAA's GOES-East satellites providing imagery of its birth and movement. The storm was expected to produce heavy rainfall over the Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the southeastern and central Bahamas.
Tropical Storm Marie rapidly formed off Mexico's coast, with powerful thunderstorms stretching towards the troposphere. The storm is expected to intensify rapidly due to warm sea surface temperatures, potentially becoming a hurricane by Monday, August 25. Rapid intensification is predicted due to favorable environmental conditions.
Hurricane Lowell strengthened into a Category One hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph after being observed by NASA satellites. The storms' cloud top temperatures exceeded -63F, indicating high thunderstorms with potential heavy rainfall.
Researchers at UMass Amherst are part of a six-institution consortium creating CloudLab, a new instrument allowing scientists to run huge or very complex experiments on an enormous and flexible shared network of reliable, secure and fast computers. The project will distribute $10 million in funding among partner institutions.
NASA's TRMM satellite detected an isolated area of heavy rain remaining in Tropical Storm Karina, indicating a weakening uplift in the storm. The storm is forecast to turn westward and slow down soon, with two computer models predicting it will weaken to a tropical depression in about 72 hours.
Tropical Storm Lowell has strengthened in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with powerful thunderstorms surrounding its center and cloud top temperatures near -63F. The storm is expected to continue strengthening due to moderate shear, high moisture, and warm water conditions.
NASA satellite data shows Tropical Storm Karina's consistent strength and thunderstorm development since weakening from hurricane status. The storm's cloud pattern has remained relatively unchanged, with strong thunderstorms circling the center, especially on the northern edge.
Hurricane Karina's vertical wind shear was evident in NASA imagery captured on August 14, with clouds being pushed to the western side of the storm. The National Hurricane Center predicts further weakening over the next two days as Karina moves over sea surface temperatures near 26C.
Tropical Storm Julio's strong thunderstorms have weakened, with cloud tops warming and dropping lower in the atmosphere. The storm is expected to continue weakening and lose its tropical characteristics due to cooler sea surface temperatures.
Tropical Storm Karina formed in the Eastern Pacific on August 13 near Socorro Island, strengthening from a 11th tropical depression. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph with an estimated minimum central pressure of 1005 millibars.
The Arctic Radiation IceBridge Sea and Ice Experiment (ARISE) aims to study the effect of sea ice retreat on Arctic climate. ARISE will conduct research flights over the Arctic from Aug. 28 to Oct. 1, collecting data on ice, clouds, and radiation balance.
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.
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.
Tropical Storm Julio is weakening as it moves through cooler Central Pacific Ocean waters, with most clouds and precipitation pushed north of the center. The storm is expected to gradually turn north before turning into a depression by August 14, according to NOAA's CPHC.
Tropical Depression Genevieve dissipated in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean after a two-week journey through three Pacific regions. Maximum sustained winds dropped to 25 knots as the storm moved northwest at 8 knots.