A class X-2.2 and major class X-9.3 solar flare erupted on the morning of September 6, causing a strong radio blackout over most of the sunlit side of Earth, including the Caribbean. The disruption affected shortwave radio communications used by amateurs and professionals in emergency response efforts.
SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalSpace Weather·DateJul 30, 2018
Tropical Storm Gilma formed on July 26 and strengthened into a storm by July 27, according to NASA's Terra satellite data. The storm is expected to weaken due to wind shear and cooler waters, potentially becoming a remnant low within 3 days.
Researchers found that survivors had larger toe pads on forelimbs and hindlimbs compared to pre-storm populations. Survivors also had proportionately longer fore legs and shorter back legs with smaller bodies. These findings suggest natural selection favors certain characteristics in response to extreme weather events.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature·DateJul 25, 2018
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A study published by Texas A&M University found that Saharan dust suppresses cloud formation and decreases the occurrence of hurricanes over the Gulf of Mexico region. The research suggests that dust can reduce the sea surface temperature, leading to more stable atmospheric conditions unfavorable for storm formation.
SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Climate·DateJul 20, 2018
Researchers at Chapman University found that African dust storms can contribute to the development of larger, more powerful hurricanes like Hurricane Sandy. The study, published in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, aims to improve forecasting for extreme weather events.
SourceChapman University·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing·DateJul 18, 2018
Sub-Tropical Storm Beryl has lost its tropical cyclone characteristics, moving northeast without significant convection. The storm's maximum sustained winds have decreased to 30 knots, indicating a weakening system.
Research suggests mangroves can reduce elevation loss and promote wetland stability through root production. However, mangrove conversion to mudflats can have long-lasting negative impacts on ecosystem resilience against extreme events.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission observed intense bands of precipitation wrapping around the eastern side of intensifying tropical storm Chris. Rainfall rates reached over 123 mm per hour in strong convective storms east of Chris' forming eye.
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The remnants of former Tropical Storm Beryl are still affecting the Bahamas before moving northeastward, with a low chance of re-formation over the next two days. Environmental conditions may favor some development by the weekend as the system interacts with a strong upper-level trough.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission observed two areas of heavy rainfall in the Bahamas from Beryl's remnants on July 11. Heavy rainfall was also detected over the Atlantic Ocean northeast of Crooked Island.
Hurricane Chris strengthened into a hurricane on July 10 with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph, bringing heavy rainfall to Newfoundland, Canada. The storm's eye was visible in an infrared image captured by NASA's Aqua satellite, revealing cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tropical Storm Chris was imaged by NASA's Aqua satellite on July 10, showing a backwards 'C' or comma-shaped storm with cold cloud tops. The system has potential for heavy rainfall and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane later today.
Typhoon Maria's ragged eyewall is a result of eyewall replacement, where the smaller inner eyewall deteriorates and becomes replaced by a larger outer one. The storm is moving northwest towards Taiwan and China, continuing to weaken.
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The Global Precipitation Measurement mission gathered important rainfall data on Hurricane Beryl's remnants as it passed through the Windward Islands and Puerto Rico. Strong convective storms were dropping rain at rates of over 75 mm per hour, with intense storms measured in a small area along Puerto Rico's southeastern coast.
NASA's Aqua satellite gathered temperature data on Hurricane Beryl, showing coldest cloud top temperatures near -70 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is a compact hurricane with hurricane-force winds extending up to 10 miles from the center.
Super Typhoon Maria has a clearly defined 7-nautical-mile wide eye with a powerful ring of strong thunderstorms. The storm is intensifying rapidly, forecast to peak as a Category 5 hurricane on July 14.
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NASA's Aqua satellite detected a small area of strong thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Fabio, which has the potential to generate very heavy rainfall. The storm's convective structure has continued to degrade, leading to decreased winds and a forecasted weakening into a remnant low.
Tropical Depression Two formed in the Central Atlantic Ocean on July 5, 2018, with maximum sustained winds of near 35 mph. The system is forecast to potentially strengthen into a tropical storm and then degenerate into an open trough east of the Lesser Antilles over the weekend.
Hurricane Fabio's cloud top temperatures reached as low as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storm capabilities. The storm is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane later in the forecast period.
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NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of Post-Tropical Cyclone Emilia showing four small areas of strongest thunderstorms east of the center. The storm is weakening and dissipating due to cool waters and a stable air mass.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission saw Tropical Storm Fabio intensify into a hurricane, with maximum sustained winds reaching near 75 mph. The storm's height of thunderstorms was estimated to be around 16 km, and rainfall measurements showed intense convective storms producing heavy precipitation.
Tropical Storm Emilia is intensifying due to strong uplift, as indicated by NASA infrared satellite imagery showing very cold cloud top temperatures. The storm strengthened over the past two days, with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph and higher gusts.
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Tropical Storm Daniel weakened as it passed over NASA's Terra satellite on June 24, revealing a small area of strong storms around its center. By the next day, the storm had degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area, forecast to dissipate by Wednesday night with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph
Beneficial rainfall from hurricane Bud's remnants has spread into the U.S. Desert Southwest, helping to alleviate drought and wildfires. The heaviest rainfall over land occurred in northwestern Mexico with over 200 mm (7.9 inches) indicated.
Researchers analyzed historical hurricane scenarios to model potential grid disruptions and identified clusters of businesses and community resources that could be outfitted with microgrids to improve resilience. Microgrids, also known as resilience nodes, enable enhanced adaptation and response to electric grid disruptions.
Weakening Hurricane Bud is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides across southwestern Mexico. The storm's rainfall rates are decreasing, with moderate to heavy precipitation only present in the southeastern quadrant.
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NASA's Aqua satellite captures infrared data on Hurricane Bud, revealing very high and towering thunderstorms near land. The storms have cold cloud top temperatures of minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong uplift and potential for heavy rain.
Tropical Cyclone Aletta has degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. The post-tropical cyclone is forecast to dissipate by the end of the week, moving toward the west at 7 mph.
Hurricane Bud has formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to southwestern Mexico. The storm is predicted to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, as well as life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
NASA observed hurricane Aletta's intense rainfall rates and powerful storms before it weakened due to adverse conditions. The storm produced heavy precipitation, with radar data indicating a rate of over 142 mm per hour.
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Hurricane Aletta strengthened after passing over NASA's Aqua satellite on June 7, with coldest cloud top temperatures reaching -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to intensify to Category 4 status before weakening begins this weekend.
A new study found that hurricanes are moving more slowly, spending more time over land, resulting in catastrophic local rainfall and flooding. The slowdown is attributed to climate change, which is amplifying the effects of human activity on hurricane behavior.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature·DateJun 7, 2018
Tropical Storm Aletta was found to have intense rain bands with rainfall rates over 187 mm, and storm top heights of over 12 km. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission revealed these findings using GPM precipitation measurements.
Tropical Storm Aletta formed on June 5 over the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing its development. The storm strengthened into a tropical depression and later a tropical storm, moving westward at 7 mph, expected to become a hurricane by June 7.
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A study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the mortality rate in Puerto Rico rose by 62% after Hurricane Maria, with an estimated death rate of 14.3 deaths per thousand people between September and December 2017.
SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 31, 2018
The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for parts of Mexico and Cuba as Subtropical Storm Alberto strengthens in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm is forecast to produce large rainfall totals and life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, particularly in the northeastern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Mekunu is now classified as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm, with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph and a central pressure of ~964 hectopascals. The storm is forecast to make landfall near Salalah, Oman early on May 26, posing a significant threat to shipping in the Gulf of Aden.
The study analyzed 22 recent hurricanes and found that they would become a little stronger, a little slower-moving, and a lot wetter if they formed under predicted late 21st-century conditions. The rainfall rate of simulated future storms would increase by an average of 24 percent.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalJournal of Climate·DateMay 21, 2018
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A new analysis of 22 recent hurricanes suggests they would become stronger and wetter in a warmer climate, with increased rainfall rates. The study found that average hourly maximum wind speeds would rise by 6% and rainfall rates would increase by 24%, leading to more devastating flooding.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalJournal of Climate·DateMay 21, 2018
Researchers observed a downward beam of positrons in Hurricane Patricia's eyewall, creating powerful gamma-rays and x-rays. The detection confirms a theoretical prediction made years earlier, suggesting TGFs can be detected via the reverse positron beam using ground-based instruments.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·DateMay 21, 2018
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that active Twitter users are prone to spreading falsehoods during public emergencies, such as hurricanes and bombings. The study revealed that only a small percentage of users corrected or clarified false information.
SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNatural Hazards·DateMay 11, 2018
A new analysis found that record-breaking ocean heat fueled Hurricane Harvey, with the Gulf's waters being warmer than any time on record. The hotter-than-normal conditions supercharged the storm, fueling it with vast stores of moisture, resulting in devastating flooding.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateMay 10, 2018
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Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
A recent study found that powerful hurricanes intensify more rapidly and strongly in the Atlantic Ocean, with a climate cycle called AMO being the main driver. The average boost in wind speed during a 24-hour intensification event is about 13 mph more than it was 30 years ago.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 9, 2018
A new study finds that telemedicine can offer aid to people hit by hurricanes Harvey and Irma by providing routine medical care in the days following the disaster. The top diagnosis during this time included acute respiratory illnesses and skin problems, similar to national trends.
SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 25, 2018
Kristin O'Donovan's NSF-funded project examines how local governments learn from disaster experiences and the limits of policy change, shedding light on vulnerability differences between communities.
SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·DateApr 19, 2018
A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences found that drowning caused 80% of Harvey deaths, with most fatalities occurring outside the 100-year floodplain. The researchers suggest improving flood maps and communication to reduce risk during future floods.
SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·DateApr 19, 2018
The National Academies' Gulf Research Program awarded over $340,000 to support the recovery of Gulf Coast scientific research efforts damaged or lost due to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Eleven grants were announced to help scientists recover from their losses and carry on with work strengthening the region's resilience.
SourceNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine·DateApr 18, 2018
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The Hobby School at the University of Houston is conducting a five-year survey to study the impact of Hurricane Harvey on residents' properties, behaviors, and policy attitudes. Early results show significant support for policies to mitigate future disasters, such as reservoir construction and floodplain restrictions.
Tropical Cyclone Keni is being battered by vertical wind shear, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite revealing clouds and storms pushed southeast of the center. Sea surface temperatures are too cool to support a tropical cyclone, making Keni an asymmetric and elongated storm.
A new study reveals that social support helped alleviate depressive symptoms for both displaced and nondisplaced residents who survived Hurricane Katrina. However, social support only moderated PTSD symptoms for nondisplaced residents, indicating that displaced individuals require more formal supports.
SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateApr 5, 2018
Historical Hawaiian-language newspapers have been digitized, revealing new information about the 1871 hurricane's impact on Hawaii. The translations uncovered a timeline of the storm's progression and descriptions of widespread destruction.
SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateApr 3, 2018
A Penn State demographer warns that Hurricane Maria's destruction may have crippled Puerto Rico's ability to gather and analyze accurate data, hindering the island's recovery and response to future emergencies. The lack of proper data collection services and analysis may lead to inadequate allocation of resources, including money and aid.
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Super Typhoon Jelawat has developed an eye as it strengthens into a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph. The NASA satellite captured a stunning image of the storm on March 30, revealing its 6-mile-wide eye surrounded by strong convective storms.
Researchers assess whether extreme weather events like Hurricane Harvey impact invasive pests, pollinators and other species. The team evaluates changes in ant communities to determine if floods accelerated the invasion process by invasive fire ants and tawny crazy ants.
Tropical Cyclone Nora strengthened into a hurricane as observed by NASA satellite imagery, with an eye forming and powerful thunderstorms wrapping around it. The cyclone is forecast to continue intensifying and making landfall in southwestern Queensland on March 27.
Tropical Cyclone Marcus, a Category 4 hurricane, was monitored by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm's weakening was attributed to warming cloud top temperatures and increasing vertical wind shear.
Tropical Cyclone Marcus has intensified into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching 149.6 mph, according to NASA's Terra satellite analysis. The system continues to strengthen due to favorable environmental conditions, including low vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures.
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Tropical Cyclone Marcus is strengthening as it moves away from Western Australia, fueled by strong thunderstorms indicated by cloud top temperatures of -80°F (or colder). The eye of the storm is 11 nautical miles wide and moving westward at 17.2 mph.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) will use the grant to develop a technology-supported program that integrates care across its clinics. The program aims to expand screening, triage, referral, and behavioral healthcare services for patients with unmet post-Harvey needs.
SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateMar 15, 2018
Women living in US territories receive less comprehensive breast cancer care compared to their continental US counterparts, including delayed surgical treatments and radiation therapy. The study highlights the importance of addressing healthcare disparities in these underserved populations.
SourceYale University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 5, 2018