Research on clouds and the atmosphere. Covers Southern Ocean clouds, ocean-derived aerosols, sea-ice cloud formation, and dust after impacts.
A rare pyrocumulonimbus cloud has been spotted over Canadian wildfires, posing a risk to air quality. The cloud, which is an extreme manifestation of pyrocumulus clouds, can inject smoke and pollutants high into the atmosphere, affecting areas far from the fire site.
Thunderstorms re-developed around Tropical Depression Genevieve's center on August 5, suggesting the storm may strengthen. Genevieve is forecast to gradually intensify over the next couple of days and cross the International Date Line in a few days.
Typhoon Halong appears lopsided due to inhibited thunderstorm development in the northern quadrant. The storm's cloud top temperatures indicate potential for heavy rainfall.
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instruments aboard NASA's Aqua satellite provided infrared data and a visible image of Hurricane Bertha. The storm weakened to a tropical storm by August 5, with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph.
NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites captured images of Super Typhoon Halong, revealing an 11.5-mile-wide eye and signs of eyewall replacement. The storm has weakened from a Category 5 to a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds near 120mph.
Tropical Storm Bertha passed over Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands before heading towards the Bahamas. The storm's powerful thunderstorms were being pushed southeast by wind shear from the northwest.
Tropical Storm Halong is expected to intensify for three days before weakening, with forecasters predicting a path near Okinawa. The storm's strongest thunderstorms and coldest cloud tops are located on the east side of its center, indicating potential heavy rainfall.
Tropical Storm Genevieve weakened to a tropical depression on July 27, but reorganized and became a tropical depression again on July 30. Rainfall rates reached over 28.5 mm/hr near the storm's center.
NASA has chosen a team at Goddard Space Flight Center to build its first Earth science-related CubeSat mission, known as IceCube. The tiny payload will test a new submillimeter-wave receiver that could help advance scientists' understanding of ice clouds and their role in climate change.
Tropical Storm Halong is intensifying with a strong eye forming and closely tracked by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm is expected to move west-northwest through the Marianas Islands while intensifying.
Tropical Storm Hernan's weakening lifted its cloud tops, with infrared data revealing warming temperatures in the system. The storm dissipated into a remnant low-pressure area, with forecasters predicting its remaining systems to dissipate over the next few days.
A recent study by University of Hawaii researchers found that gases and particles from Kilauea volcano affected Tropical Storm Flossie's formation and lightning. This unique interaction highlights the impact of polluted air on hurricanes approaching the US mainland coast.
Tropical Storm Hernan developed over the weekend and reached hurricane strength before being weakened by wind shear. NASA tracked its movement, noting it was forecasted to weaken into a shallow post-tropical cyclone in 48 hours
The seventh tropical depression of the Eastern Pacific Ocean formed on July 25, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. The storm is expected to continue moving westward, with NHC forecasting no strengthening due to increased wind shear.
NASA's Aqua satellite provided dual views of Typhoon Matmo, capturing its visible clouds and infrared temperatures. The storm made landfall on Taiwan's east coast, generating rough seas and typhoon-force winds.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data showing strong thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Matmo's center and southwestern quadrant. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 40 knots on July 18, with forecasters predicting it will reach typhoon intensity by July 20.
Tropical Depression 10W was born when NASA's Aqua satellite passed overhead, with powerful thunderstorms developing around its center. The depression is expected to strengthen due to favorable sea surface temperatures and improved upper-level conditions.
Typhoon Rammasun brought heavy rainfall over the Philippines, with total rainfall estimates exceeding 325 mm, according to NASA's TRMM satellite analysis. The storm made its way towards Hainan Island, China, with forecasters predicting landfall on July 18.
Typhoon Rammasun passed through central Philippines, bringing soaking rains and powerful thunderstorms to the region. The storm made landfall near Legazpi City on July 15 with maximum sustained winds of 80 knots.
Typhoon Rammasun made landfall in the eastern part of central Philippines on July 15, with NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites tracking its eye close to landfall. The storm brought moderate to heavy rainfall across the region, with cloud top temperatures indicating potential for severe weather.
Tropical Depression 09W has formed in the Northwestern Pacific, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite detecting extremely cold cloud top temperatures indicative of thunderstorms. The storm is currently located near Guam and is expected to move past the southern islands of the Marianas before strengthening into a typhoon.
Typhoon Neoguri was analyzed by NASA's Aqua, TRMM, and CloudSat satellites, gathering data on its eye wall structure, cloud heights, and rainfall rates. The storm showed a large eye with meso vorticies and moderate to heavy rainfall south of the eyewall.
Tropical Storm Douglas is on a weakening trend, with decreasing thunderstorm activity and warming cloud tops. The storm's low-level circulation and shallow eye-like feature persist despite the waning uplift of air.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a cloud-covered eye of Tropical Storm Arthur, which strengthened into a hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph. The storm's center was expected to approach the coast in the hurricane warning area tonight, July 3.
Tropical Storm Elida weakened to a remnant low due to strong wind shear. The National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of near 30 mph (45 kph), with the center moving southeast towards Mexico.
Researchers at Princeton University used a computer model to explore water as it freezes, finding that it can exist in two liquid phases of different densities. The dual nature of water could lead to better understanding of how it behaves at cold temperatures found in high-altitude clouds.
Hurricane Cristina intensified rapidly on June 12 before quickly weakening the next day, with cloud top temperatures decreasing by nearly 30C. The storm's convection weakened, causing cloud heights to drop and temperatures to rise.
Tropical Cyclone Nanauk is experiencing strong thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures near -63F, indicating high rainfall potential. The storm will face weakening factors such as increasing wind shear, dry air, and cooler sea surface temperatures over the next few days.
Tropical Cyclone Nanauk strengthened over a 24-hour period, showing a well-rounded tropical cyclone with good circulation. The storm is expected to continue strengthening before encountering higher wind shear and dry air.
Heavy rainfall was observed in Tropical Storm Cristina by NASA's TRMM satellite before intensification into a hurricane. The storm is expected to strengthen further with ideal environmental conditions.
Tropical Storm Cristina was born in the Eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The storm's strong thunderstorms are producing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along western Mexico's coast.
A study by Weizmann Institute researchers found that human activities have altered the types of clouds over pristine ocean areas, leading to increased cloud height and rainfall. The team's model accurately predicted these changes using satellite images and aerosol data, suggesting a significant impact on global climate patterns.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Boris are merging with a low-pressure area in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, according to NASA and NOAA satellite data. The system, now known as System 90L, has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression, threatening heavy rainfall and flash flooding in southeastern Mexico.
Tropical Storm Boris strengthened into a depression before making landfall in southern Mexico, bringing heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The storm's slow movement exacerbated localized rainfall amounts, with the Mexican Weather Service reporting 12.5 inches of rainfall in one city.
Tropical Depression 2E has high, very cold cloud top temperatures indicating strong thunderstorms and potential for heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center forecasts large rainfall amounts in southern Mexico over the next couple of days.
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.
NASA's TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall at a rate of over 147 mm/h in the northwestern side of Hurricane Amanda's eye wall. The storm weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph.
System 92B dissipated on May 27 after struggling to develop in the Bay of Bengal, with NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites capturing data on its rainfall rates and cloud heights. The storm had strong thunderstorms and generated heavy rainfall before wind shear took its toll.
NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites captured data on System 92B, showing heavy rainfall and powerful convective storms in the Bay of Bengal. The system is moving north at 5 knots and has a high potential for developing into a significant tropical cyclone within 24 hours.
Scientists discovered that oxidized organic compounds play a crucial role in new particle formation and growth. This finding contributes to better understanding of the connection between clouds and climate, shedding light on the complex process of cloud formation.
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico's Guerrero State on May 8, triggering rain from dissipating tropical low pressure system System 90E. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of the system three hours later, showing high cloud tops and potential for heavy rainfall.
The TRMM satellite recorded severe weather affecting the Great Plains from May 8 to 9, including three tornadoes in Minnesota. The satellite detected intense rainfall rates of over 6.4 inches per hour in Arkansas and Texas.
System 90E is a tropical low-pressure area located southwest of Zihuatenejo, Mexico, heading towards landfall in the region. The National Hurricane Center has given it a 20% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours.
Pierre Gentine, a Columbia University professor, has won a $258,011 NASA grant to research turbulence in the earth's atmosphere and improve climate predictions. He aims to model complex turbulent motions and their impact on climate circulation.
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.
Tropical Storm Tapah weakened as wind shear increased and the storm moved toward cooler waters in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The Suomi NPP satellite's visible image showed that Tapah's eye was becoming cloud-filled with powerful thunderstorms circling the center.
A NASA satellite observed higher and colder cloud top temperatures in a severe weather system, indicating strong uplift and potential for stronger storms. The temperature data revealed that the storm system moved east and generated more tornadoes on April 29.
NASA's GOES-East satellite captured visible and infrared data on a storm system that spawned tornadoes affecting seven central and southern U.S. states. The animation shows the development and movement of the storm system, revealing powerful storms and high-altitude cloud tops.
Scientists at the University of Central Florida and Arizona are extending the length of a high-intensity laser beam by surrounding it with a secondary beam, sustaining the central beam for greater distances. The goal is to stimulate static charged particles in clouds, leading to rain and lightning activity.
Remnants of Tropical Depression Peipah continue to bring scattered thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rain showers across the southern Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued flood advisories for several regions due to the lingering storm system.
Tropical Depression Peipah has brought clouds, showers, and gusty winds to the southern and central Philippines. NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured images showing the remnant clouds covering the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
Research using data from NASA missions and computer simulations indicates an increase in noctilucent cloud presence between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude. Temperatures at high altitudes have decreased, raising questions about climate change.
Tropical Cyclone Ita is strengthening due to increased wind speeds and cold cloud top temperatures detected by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm's center is consolidating, surrounded by strong thunderstorms, and is expected to move towards Queensland, Australia over the next three days.
Tropical Depression Peipah is intensifying as it approaches the central Philippines, with forecasters predicting landfall by April 11. The NASA Aqua satellite's infrared data shows high cloud-top temperatures indicating potential for heavy rainfall, with estimated amounts ranging from 5 to 15 mm per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Peipah passed Palau on April 5, weakening to a tropical depression with sustained winds near 25 knots. The storm is expected to make landfall in northeastern Mindanao before moving through the central or Visayas region.
Tropical Depression 05W is mostly cloud-covered with strongest convection on its western side. The depression is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm by April 5 as it moves northwesterly through warm ocean waters.
Researchers at the University of Otago have created a system that can precisely split minute clouds of ultracold atoms into 32 daughter clouds. The 'optical tweezers' unit uses intense laser beams to manipulate and control the atoms, enabling new tools for probing microscopic structures.
Wind shear is responsible for weakening Tropical Cyclone Gillian from hurricane to tropical storm strength, according to NASA's Aqua satellite image. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 60 knots on March 26, and it is expected to dissipate by the same day.
Tropical Cyclone Mike formed and strengthened rapidly before transitioning into an extra-tropical system. The storm's remnants were visible on NOAA's GOES-West satellite imagery, appearing as a wisp of clouds by March 20.
Tropical Cyclone Hadi weakened to depression status, while Tropical Cyclone Lusi strengthened with maximum sustained winds near 50 knots/57.5 mph/92.6 kph. NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites provided crucial rainfall data, cloud heights, and temperature information.