Articles tagged with Clouds
A new study from Japan's National Institute of Polar Research has improved regional climate models using in-situ weather data collected over the Chukchi Sea. The research team found discrepancies between models in capturing cloud microphysics and sea surface energy budgets, highlighting the need for model improvement.
Research by University of Pennsylvania biologists Daniel Janzen and Winnie Hallwachs found that climate change has taken a toll on insects in the tropics. Insect biomass and species richness have been decomposing since the mid-1970s, with dramatic drops in moth numbers and species diversity.
Analysis of upward flashes suggests a possible explanation for the formation of luminous structures after electrical discharges split in the atmosphere. The study found that a low-luminosity discharge with a structure resembling a paintbrush may change direction, split in two, and define the path of the lightning flash.
Scientists have created a new numerical model to estimate the dimensions of umbrella clouds contributing to volcanic ash deposits. This tool helps understand past large explosive eruptions and improve forecast of future events. The research was applied to the 2,500-year-old eruption of Pululagua volcano in Ecuador.
High aerosol concentrations increase environmental humidity by producing more clouds, which can mix condensed water into the surrounding air. This humidification enhances updraft speeds, intensifying thunderstorms.
Researchers found that urban landscapes and human-caused aerosols can start storms sooner and pull them towards cities. In Kansas City, urban land and aerosols amplified large hail by 20%, while in Houston, they led to longer-lasting rainfall that developed earlier.
A study modeled the effects of solar geoengineering and rising greenhouse gas concentrations on subtropical stratocumulus clouds. The results suggest that solar geoengineering alone may not be sufficient to prevent strong warming from direct CO2 effects.
Scientists from the University of Leeds monitored air quality during Bonfire Night events and found elevated concentrations of soot, which is around 100 times its normal level. The research highlights the potential health impacts of pollution on individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
A team of researchers found that cloud-induced infrared radiative feedback creates a localized greenhouse effect, trapping heat and accelerating the formation of tropical cyclones. This process is believed to be instrumental in the origin of many tropical storm events.
Dry air is eroding Tropical Storm Norbert's strength by suppressing the development of thunderstorms that need warm, moist air to form. The storm has weakened due to entrainment of dry air, disrupting its compact system and limiting its ability to strengthen.
Tropical Storm Chan-hom is consolidating, indicating a strengthening trend, according to NASA's infrared data. The AIRS instrument captured cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms with heavy rain potential.
Hurricane Delta's cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms capable of creating heavy rain. The storm is expected to produce significant flash flooding and mudslides across the northern Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba.
Tropical cyclones exhibit non-uniform strength, with stronger sides extending higher into the troposphere. NASA's AIRS instrument captured cloud top temperatures of -63°F, indicating a strong storm capable of heavy rain. The storm's structure has improved since Sunday, with deep convection and a more circular shape.
Infrared light analysis from NASA's Aqua satellite shows wind shear pushing Marie's strongest storms east of the center, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to weaken and degenerate into a remnant low by Tuesday night.
Hurricane Marie is rapidly growing stronger and more powerful, with cloud top temperatures reaching as low as -80°F. The National Hurricane Center expects Marie to become a major hurricane late on Oct. 1, with rapid strengthening forecasted.
Researchers found that iodic acid triggers new aerosol particle formation events, leading to cloud condensation nuclei and potentially altering clouds' radiative properties. The team's findings provide greater insight into biogeochemical processes for cloud formation over the Arctic pack ice.
Global warming is affecting nighttime temperatures differently, with more than half of the global land surface experiencing greater night-time warming. This 'warming asymmetry' has significant implications for plant growth and species interactions.
Infrared data from NASA's Terra satellite revealed Typhoon Kujira's strongest storms and coldest cloud top temperatures, indicating potential heavy rainfall. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 65 knots on Sept. 29.
Tropical Storm Kujira's strongest storms were located near its center and in a band of thunderstorms on the western side, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit. NASA analyzed infrared imagery to determine the storm's strength and predict its potential for heavy rain.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Beta is covered in clouds stretching from Mississippi to the Carolinas, according to NASA imagery. The storm was moving slowly northeast and had decreased in pressure and wind fields by September 25.
A study by University of Copenhagen researchers reveals that large temperature differences between day and night can spawn powerful thunderstorms and cloud bursts. The study uses computer simulations to analyze mesoscale convection systems, which are powerful thunderstorms that spread over areas of 100 kilometers or more.
Dolphin, a tropical cyclone, transformed into an extratropical storm after passing east central Japan. The storm's wind speeds decreased to near 30 knots (35 mph) as it became quasi-stationary and fully embedded in the baroclinic zone.
Tropical Storm Lowell is moving west-northwest with increasing winds and no coastal watches in effect. NASA's Aqua satellite identified the strongest thunderstorms south of the storm's center, indicating potential for heavy rainfall. The storm's forecast suggests little change in strength over the next few days.
Hurricane Teddy is threatening Eastern Canada with powerful storms and cold cloud top temperatures indicating strong storms. The hurricane's forecast track predicts it will move over Nova Scotia on Wednesday, bringing tropical-storm-force winds and large swells.
Tropical Storm Lowell's strongest storms were located around its center and southern quadrant, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind shear played a significant role in the storm's formation and strength, with NASA providing data to support forecasters' predictions.
Tropical Depression Vicky is a shadow of its former self, devoid of precipitation around its low-level center. The cyclone's strengthening wind shear has caused it to weaken and become a remnant low later today.
Tropical Storm Vicky is weakening due to strong southwesterly wind shear, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph and higher gusts. The storm is expected to become a tropical depression in around 24 hours before weakening further.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected the strongest storms on Hurricane Teddy's western side, with coldest cloud top temperatures as low as -81 degrees Celsius. This suggests that the storm is experiencing westerly wind shear, a phenomenon that can lead to heavy rain.
Tropical Storm Karina is weakening due to unfavorable upper-level winds and cooler waters, forecast to become a remnant low by tonight. Its maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts, moving toward the northwest at 8 mph.
Turbulence plays a crucial role in cloud formation, affecting the number of droplets and their size. Researchers developed a framework to explain how preexisting aerosol particles transition into droplets.
Teddy is consolidating in the Central North Atlantic Ocean with improved circulation and increasing maximum sustained winds. The storm's structure is slowly improving, with stronger thunderstorms around its core.
A young star, HL Tauri, is producing planets from its concentric rings made of gas and dust. Research by Mayer Humi provides a study target for protoplanetary ring theories around stars, shedding light on the creation of solar systems.
Tropical Storm Vicky is weakening due to strong southwesterly wind shear pushing its clouds to the northeastern quadrant. The storm's shape and organization are being distorted, and it is forecast to degenerate into a remnant low by Wednesday.
Hurricane Sally is expected to produce 10-20 inches of rainfall with isolated amounts of 30 inches along the central Gulf Coast. The storm's slow movement increases the risk of historic flooding and extreme life-threatening flash flooding, particularly in Florida and the southeastern United States.
Tropical Storm Karina is being affected by strong northeasterly wind shear, pushing clouds and rain to the southwest. This analysis reveals coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as -70 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating potential for heavy rainfall.
Tropical Depression Rene is expected to degenerate due to strong wind shear and dry air entrainment. The NASA Aqua satellite monitored cloud top temperatures, confirming the impact of wind shear on the storm's organization and strength.
Tropical Storm Paulette's unique shape is attributed to the strong southwesterly wind shear affecting it and its companion storm, Rene. Infrared imagery reveals powerful thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tropical cyclones affected by wind shear can appear less than round, with outside winds pushing clouds and rain to one side. Infrared data reveals cold cloud top temperatures indicating heavy rain potential
Tropical Storm Paulette's cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms capable of creating heavy rain. The storm was weakened by wind shear, but forecast to re-strengthen over the weekend and potentially become a hurricane.
Research in East Asia reveals that short-term cloud feedback is mainly driven by decreases in mid- and low-cloud fraction, resulting from changes in atmospheric thermodynamics. The study provides a reference for narrowing inter-model uncertainties in long-term cloud feedbacks.
NASA infrared data shows tropical cyclone Paulette experiencing strong wind shear, pushing clouds away from its center. This phenomenon can weaken the storm and indicate potential for heavy rainfall.
Tropical Storm Rene weakened to a tropical depression on Sept. 8 but regained strength, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing its seesaw-like pattern of strengthening and weakening storms. The strongest storms had cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating potential for heavy rainfall.
A massive pyrocumulonimbus cloud formed over the Creek Fire in California's Sierra National Forest, with NASA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing its rapid spread. The fire has grown to over 135,000 acres, with hot and dry conditions fueling its expansion.
Typhoon Haishen made landfall in South Korea, bringing heavy rain, storm surge, and landslides. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data showing the storm's temperature and rainfall potential, helping forecasters predict its path.
Tropical Depression Omar is being affected by persistent wind shear, which is weakening the storm's rotation and inhibiting thunderstorm development. The NASA Aqua satellite has provided temperature information about the system's clouds, confirming the presence of wind shear.
Tropical Storm Nana has strengthened in the Caribbean Sea, with NASA's Terra satellite analyzing cloud top temperatures to monitor its progress. The storm is expected to become a hurricane by tonight, posing warnings and watches for areas in Central America and Belize.
Typhoon Haishen strengthened rapidly after forming as Tropical Depression 11W on August 31. NASA's Terra satellite gathered data on the storm's water vapor content and temperature, revealing high concentrations of water vapor and cold cloud top temperatures.
Tropical cyclones are composed of hundreds of thunderstorms, and NASA's Infrared Data Reveals Where the Strongest Storms Are Located. The strongest storms have coldest cloud top temperatures, with some reaching minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit near Iselle's center.
Tropical Storm Maysak formed on August 28 with a quick burst of strength, featuring powerful thunderstorms reaching temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm's cloud tops cooled significantly over the past 6 hours, consolidating its circulation center.
The NASA Terra satellite captured an infrared image of cloud top temperatures in Tropical Storm Hernan, showing its final burst of strength. The storm's powerful thunderstorms had coldest cloud top temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit near the center.
A recent study by Colorado State University atmospheric scientists aims to settle the debate on black carbon's impact on cloud formation. The research found that black carbon is not as important as previously thought for ice particle formation in mid-level clouds.
Hurricane Laura strengthened as a hurricane, with NASA providing infrared imagery showing its structure and rainmaking capabilities. The storm is over 350 miles in diameter, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 45 miles from the center.
Post-tropical cyclone Marco has weakened toward dissipation after passing over the Gulf of Mexico, with NASA's Terra satellite capturing its final stages. The storm made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River and was pushed northeast by southwesterly wind shear.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured images of California's massive wildfires, which merged to form two complexes: LNU Lightning Complex and SCU Lightning Complex. The fires were started by lightning strikes and are fueled by hot air that creates pyrocumulus clouds.
Tropical Depression 14 is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm and potentially become a hurricane, according to NASA's Terra satellite data. The depression's coldest cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit, generating heavy rainfall and affecting Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
A study analyzing the February 2020 lockdown in China found a significant drop in nitrogen oxides, a gas associated with smog, of 50% compared to expected levels. However, aerosol particle amounts and cloud properties showed no dramatic changes, suggesting negligible climate-related impacts.
NASA's Terra satellite reveals Post-Tropical Storm Fausto has lost strong storms, temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Hurricane Center confirms the system has become a remnant low-pressure area with no organized deep convection expected to return.
NASA's Terra satellite observed the remnants of Tropical Depression 10E, providing water vapor content data that sheds light on the storm's potential to develop. The analysis revealed a small area of coldest cloud top temperature, indicating the storm's strength and temperature.
Genevieve strengthened into a hurricane, with the most powerful thunderstorms in its eyewall having coldest cloud top temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to become major and bring life-threatening surf and rip current conditions to Mexico's southern coast.
Tropical Depression 09E strengthened into Tropical Storm Elida, with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph and a central pressure of 995 millibars. Infrared imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite confirmed the storm's transition, revealing powerful thunderstorms with cold cloud top temperatures indicating heavy rainfall potential.