Research on clouds and the atmosphere. Covers Southern Ocean clouds, ocean-derived aerosols, sea-ice cloud formation, and dust after impacts.
Tropical Storm Olga merged with a cold front, leading to weakening and post-tropical cyclone classification. The remnants of the storm moved through the Mississippi Valley before reaching the Great Lakes.
Typhoon Bualoi's asymmetrical shape suggests it is weakening, with the strongest thunderstorms located west of center. Satellite data reveals a dome-like protrusion above the cumulonimbus anvil cloud, indicating strong updrafts and powerful storms.
Typhoon Bualoi is expected to intensify through Thursday and then begin weakening as it moves in a northerly track. The storm's strong winds and heavy rain are a concern for the affected islands.
Tropical Storm Priscilla made landfall in western Mexico on October 20, causing widespread rainfall accumulations. The storm dissipated by nightfall, leaving behind remnants that moved northwards.
Tropical Storm Octave formed on Oct. 17 as a tropical depression in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with cloud top temperatures reaching -70 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to weaken due to wind shear and movement out of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), forecasted to degenerate into a remnant low over the weekend.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured night-time and infrared images of Tropical Storm Nestor on Oct. 18, revealing lightning, overshooting cloud tops into the stratosphere, and gravity waves. Powerful thunderstorms around the storm's center generated these waves in quick bursts.
Tropical Depression 17E made landfall over Mexico's Oaxaca state, bringing heavy rainfall. A low-pressure system is also developing off the southern coast, posing a threat to the northern Gulf Coast.
A new study found that tiny particles formed in the tropics can brighten lower-level clouds, which may impact global cooling predictions. The research used measurements from a massive airborne study to understand how these particles form and contribute to cloud properties.
The Suomi NPP satellite revealed that Tropical Storm Melissa was experiencing wind shear, causing the strongest thunderstorms to be displaced. This led to a weakening of the storm's circulation, with only scattered clouds and precipitation remaining.
Typhoon Mitag has pushed its clouds and precipitation north of its center, extending over the Korean Peninsula and southern Japan. The storm appears to be weakening due to this decoupling of deep convection from the center.
The Antarctic ozone hole's decline has indirectly helped increase sea ice due to altered atmospheric and oceanic circulations. Ozone-induced changes impact sea surface temperatures and dynamics of sea ice.
Tropical cyclones strengthen when cloud tops rise, indicating increased thunderstorm activity. NASA's Terra Satellite data indicates that Tropical Storm Karen is holding onto its tropical storm status due to rising cloud tops above 12,000 meters.
Hurricane Lorenzo's cloud top temperatures dropped to minus 121 Fahrenheit, indicating increased strength, with maximum sustained winds reaching 85 mph. The storm is forecast to become a major hurricane by Thursday and will continue moving west-northwest.
Tropical Storm Karen has regained strength due to powerful thunderstorms re-developing around its center. Cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit indicate the presence of capable storms that can produce heavy rainfall.
A NASA satellite analyzed cloud heights and temperatures of Tropical Storm Kiko before wind shear weakened the storm. The data showed that higher cloud tops indicate strengthening storms, while falling cloud tops suggest weakening.
Tropical Storm Jerry's organization and strength are affected by wind shear, pushing clouds away from the storm's center. The shape of the storm provides forecasters with an idea of its internal structure, while wind shear weakens rotation by pushing it apart at different levels.
Tropical Storm Kiko exhibits a tight circulation center with low clouds and deep convection. The storm is forecast to strengthen briefly before weakening and potentially becoming a remnant low later this week.
NASA's Aqua Satellite provided visible data on Major Hurricane Humberto, revealing powerful thunderstorms and a shift in its structure. The storm is expected to weaken today and become a post-tropical cyclone by Friday, with hazardous conditions persisting along the coast of Bermuda.
Researchers at the University of Michigan used a state-of-the-art climate model to simulate the extreme warming of the Early Eocene Period, finding that the rate of warming increased dramatically as carbon dioxide levels rose. The simulations suggest that future warming could accelerate due to an increase in climate sensitivity.
NASA's AIRS instrument captured temperatures in Tropical Depression Imelda, providing insight into the storm's rainfall potential over eastern Texas. Forecasters incorporated the data into their forecasts, predicting heavy rains and significant flash flooding along the Gulf Coast.
The University of Wyoming has received a $15.8 million NSF grant to modify and certify its new King Air research aircraft, as well as develop new instrumentation for atmospheric remote sensing. The grant will enable the aircraft to support high-end research in areas such as air quality, wildfires, and severe storms.
The Suomi NPP satellite's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument provided an infrared image of Hurricane Kiko on Sept. 16, showing an elongated shape due to wind shear. Wind shear affects tropical cyclones by pushing against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening rotation and intensifying the storm.
Hurricane Kiko is being disrupted by wind shear from the northeast, preventing a closed eyewall circulation and allowing the storm to weaken. Cloud top temperatures indicate strong storms with the capability to create heavy rain.
Tropical Storm Humberto strengthened off the Florida coast, becoming a hurricane on September 15 at 11 p.m. EDT. NASA's Aqua satellite revealed strongest thunderstorms were as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating heavy rainfall.
Suomi NPP's OMPS detects aerosols and smoke from fires in South America and Canada's Yukon Territories. High aerosol concentrations impact breathing, reproduction, climate, and visibility.
NASA used infrared data to analyze Tropical Storm Faxai, revealing powerful storms just offshore of Japan. The satellite found coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit around Faxai's center.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected a comma-shaped Tropical Storm Faxai using infrared light, revealing the storm's strongest thunderstorms near its center. The powerful storms are expected to bring heavy rainfall to Japan, particularly in the Tokyo area, where landfall is forecast for September 8.
Hurricane Dorian generated heavy rainfall, with areas receiving over 36 inches of rain accumulation. NASA's satellite data showed the strongest storms were located in cloud tops as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hurricane Juliette has been weakening due to NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite observations, with the strongest storms located in its western quadrant. The storm is expected to become a tropical storm by Friday night and degenerate into a remnant low-pressure area on Sunday.
Tropical Storm Akoni quickly transitioned into a post-tropical storm, with NASA capturing its transformation via visible and infrared images. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument revealed a rounded storm on September 5, while an infrared image showed strong storms southeast of the center on September 6.
Wind shear is detected in the remnants of Tropical Storm Gabrielle by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite, pushing its strongest storms northeast and indicating potential for heavy rainfall. The storm's southern quadrant is largely cloud-free due to southwesterly wind shear.
NASA's Terra satellite used infrared light to analyze the strength of storms in Tropical Storm Faxai, finding strongest thunderstorms had cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm was predicted to make landfall near Tokyo on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Fragmented strong storms remain in the remnants of Tropical Storm Fernand, capable of generating heavy rainfall. The storms were detected by NASA's Aqua satellite using infrared light, with cloud top temperatures as cold as -70 degrees Fahrenheit.
NASA's Terra satellite revealed the strongest thunderstorms in Tropical Storm 14W were located east of the center, fueled by extremely cold cloud top temperatures. The storm is moving westward and is expected to intensify to 90 knots over the next five days.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of Hurricane Juliette over Socorro Island in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The storm's strong thunderstorms affected the island with heavy rainfall. NASA's research indicates that cold cloud top temperatures are indicative of powerful storms capable of creating heavy rain.
NASA used its Aqua satellite to analyze Tropical Storm Fernand's strength before it made landfall in northeastern Mexico. The storm had coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms with heavy rain potential.
Typhoon Lingling strengthened quickly in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, fueled by powerful thunderstorms. NASA's MODIS instrument used infrared data to analyze storm strength and reveal coldest cloud top temperatures at minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tropical Storm 14W strengthened into a powerful system due to strong thunderstorms fueled by infrared data from NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm's intense cloud top temperatures indicate potential for heavy rainfall, with winds near 40 mph and expected to intensify over the next five days.
Extra-Tropical Storm Erin has merged with a frontal system off the US east coast, according to NASA data. Cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit indicate strong storms with heavy rainfall potential.
New research reveals that bacteria from Arctic algae blooms can travel to the atmosphere and seed clouds, impacting global weather patterns. The particles help accelerate ice crystal formation, influencing climate and precipitation patterns.
Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to produce heavy rainfall, with accumulations ranging from 1-10 inches. NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed cloud top temperatures to indicate strong storms capable of creating life-threatening flash floods.
Tropical Depression Erin's strong northwesterly vertical wind shear pushed most of its clouds and thunderstorms southeast, weakening the storm. The cyclone strengthened into a tropical storm despite the wind shear, but weakened back to a depression by 11 a.m. EDT.
Tropical Depression 13W, now named Podul, crossed the Philippines from east to west, triggering warnings and wind signals in various provinces. The Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of the storm, showing its impact on the country from north to south.
Tropical Depression 6 forms under adverse conditions, with wind shear affecting its circulation. The depression is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm later tonight or on Wednesday as it moves northward and northeastward over the open Atlantic.
NASA analyzed Tropical Storm Dorian using Suomi NPP satellite images, revealing a compact storm system with powerful thunderstorms. The storm moved across the eastern Caribbean Sea, bringing tropical-storm-force winds to various islands.
Tropical Storm Dorian has shown heavy rainmaking ability thanks to cold cloud top temperatures, generating strong thunderstorms and potentially causing life-threatening surf conditions. The storm is expected to produce 3-8 inches of rainfall in the Windward Islands, with isolated totals reaching up to 10 inches.
Tropical Depression 13W has triggered warnings in the Philippines due to its location and potential for heavy rainfall. The NASA Terra satellite used infrared light to analyze storm strength, finding strongest storms with cloud top temperatures as cold as -80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tropical Storm Chantal formed despite strong winds, with eastward storms exhibiting vertical wind shear and cold cloud top temperatures. The storm is forecast to slow and turn southward, potentially weakening into a tropical depression.
Research reveals that storm clouds on Jupiter affect the planet's white zones and colorful belts, changing their flow and even altering their colors. The study tracked the effects of these storms using coordinated observations from six telescopes and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected a weakened Tropical Storm Chantal, now classified as a depression, with strongest storms shifted to the northeast of the center. The storm is moving eastward at 17 mph and is forecast to slow down and make a clockwise loop through the weekend.
NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed Tropical Storm Krosa's cloud top temperatures on Aug. 15, revealing the strongest storms south of the center. The analysis found coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms capable of creating heavy rain.
Tropical Storm Krosa is expected to make landfall in western Shikoku Island, Japan, with powerful thunderstorms and heavy rain capabilities. The storm's cloud top temperatures indicate strong storms with potential to generate heavy rainfall.
NASA's Terra satellite detected scattered cold clouds in Hurricane Henriette, indicating a weakening system. The storm's cloud top temperatures reached as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit, further supporting its decline.
Typhoon Lekima made landfall in China on Aug. 10, causing billions of dollars in damage and fatal outcomes. NASA's Terra satellite captured visible images of the storm's remnant clouds over the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, prompting severe weather warnings from China's National Meteorological Center.
The NASA Aqua satellite provided detailed images of Typhoon Lekima's cloud top temperatures, revealing cold air extending into the troposphere, generating heavy rainfall. The storm's powerful thunderstorms were also visible in infrared and visible light, surrounding a small, rounded eye.
Typhoon Krosa has a large eye with coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit around the center and in large bands south and east of the storm. NASA's Aqua satellite analysis revealed the eye's size, aiding forecasters in predicting its path and potential weakening over the next five days.
The new image shows Jupiter's trademark Great Red Spot and a more intense color palette in the clouds than seen in previous years. The colorful bands result from differences in atmospheric pressures and ice cloud thickness.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected Tropical Storm Francisco in the Korea Strait, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong storms capable of heavy rain. The storm is located about 33 nautical miles north-northeast of Busan, South Korea, and is expected to move north and then northeast through the Sea of Japan.
Flossie has weakened into a remnant low-pressure area, with scattered areas of cold clouds in thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures reaching -50 degrees Fahrenheit. The system is moving northwestward and expected to dissipate by Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Lekima was formed on August 4 as Tropical Depression 10W, strengthening into a tropical storm on August 5. NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed the storm, finding cloud top temperatures of strongest thunderstorms as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.