Research on hurricanes and tropical storms. Covers AI storm tracking, wind-damage assessment, warning systems, and Hurricane Hunter data.
Tropical Storm John strengthened off southwestern Mexico's coast, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong storms capable of heavy rain. The storm is forecast to become a hurricane and produce life-threatening ocean conditions along the Mexican coast.
Hurricane Hector was observed in detail by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite, providing forecasters with valuable information on its clouds and structure. The storm maintained its strength with sustained winds of 120 mph and an estimated central pressure of 962 millibars.
Scientists discovered a compact center surrounded by strong storms in Hurricane Hector using infrared satellite imagery. The coldest cloud tops circling the center were as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
A new tool called DesignSafe is helping researchers improve their ability to predict hurricanes, move people out of harm's way, and build homes that can survive the worst nature can throw at them. The platform provides critical information about natural hazards and enables engineers to design safer structures.
Researchers used official government records to estimate a higher death toll from Hurricane Maria, with approximately 1,139 deaths surpassing the official count of 64. The study aimed to inform future weather disaster preparedness and response.
A new study estimates that up to 1,139 people died in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Maria, surpassing the official death count of 64. The researchers used vital statistics records and calculated an average number of expected deaths for each month before and after the hurricane hit.
The NASA Terra satellite analyzed Hurricane Hector's cloud top temperatures, finding strongest thunderstorms as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These cold clouds indicate strong storms capable of creating heavy rain.
A new study estimates that Hurricane Maria caused over 1,139 deaths in Puerto Rico through December 2017, exceeding the official death toll of 64. The analysis used vital statistics records to account for indirect deaths due to infectious disease outbreaks and lack of services.
Tropical Storm Hector is forming in the eastern Pacific Ocean, southwest of Mexico, according to NASA's GPM satellite observations. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching 80 knots (92 mph) early next week.
Research from UTSA Assistant Professor Vikram Kapoor confirms high levels of fecal contamination in Texas waterways following Hurricane Harvey. The study found elevated levels of E. coli and enterococci concentrations above regulatory levels, posing risks to human health and environmental quality.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.