Research on hurricanes and tropical storms. Covers AI storm tracking, wind-damage assessment, warning systems, and Hurricane Hunter data.
Hurricane Nicole strengthened to a hurricane on Oct. 6, joining forces with Hurricane Matthew in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm set an Atlantic Ocean record for winds exceeding 105 mph, marking the latest occurrence of two storms simultaneously reaching such speeds.
Tropical Storm Nicole is significantly smaller than powerful Hurricane Matthew, which is moving through the Bahamas. The storm's cloud pattern has changed little since its formation, and it holds steady just below hurricane strength as it crawls toward Bermuda.
Hurricane Matthew regained Category 4 status with sustained winds near 140 mph and a minimum central pressure of 940 millibars. The storm is expected to cross the northwestern Bahamas today and approach the Florida coast, potentially strengthening further before landfall.
Hurricane Matthew is forecast to be a category 4 hurricane as it approaches the east coast of Florida. The storm has already made landfall in western Haiti and is moving through the Bahamas.
Tropical Storm Nicole in the western Atlantic Ocean is resisting erosion from wind shear, a phenomenon that can disrupt tropical cyclones. Despite being battered by strong winds, Nicole has maintained its strength and is expected to remain in strong wind shear conditions for several days.
Hurricane Matthew is forecast to make landfall in Haiti and then move toward the Bahamas, with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph. The storm's minimum central pressure is 962 millibars, and it is expected to remain at category 3 or stronger while moving through the Bahamas and approaching Florida.
Hurricane Matthew made landfall in western Haiti on October 4, with NASA tracking its movements and intensity. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached near 145 mph, making it a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Tropical Storm Nicole has formed about 500 miles northeast of Puerto Rico, with a well-defined circulation and maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. The storm is expected to move northwest at 8 mph, then turn north-northwest with decreasing speed over the next couple of days.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Matthew has been detected by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission, with rates reaching over 6.4 inches per hour in some areas. The storm is expected to cause devastating torrential rainfall as it moves slowly over Haiti.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Hermine was still producing light to moderate showers with maximum sustained winds of about 58 mph as it rotated in the Atlantic Ocean. NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected heavy rainfall rates exceeding 1.1 inches per hour in various areas of the storm.
Hurricane Newton made two landfalls in Mexico, with NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites capturing its trajectory and intensity. The storm's center passed over Baja California and the mainland of western Mexico, causing high winds and flash floods in nearby areas.
Tropical Storm Lester passed over the Hawaiian Islands on Sept 4-6, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an image of the weakening storm. The cyclone is expected to weaken further in the next 48 hours as it transitions into a post-tropical low.
Hurricane Newton is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains to Baja California Sur, Mexico, with total rain accumulations of 8-12 inches. The storm's trajectory suggests it will pass over the Gulf of California late this afternoon or evening.
Hurricane Hermine made landfall near Saint Marks, Florida with 80 mph winds, and then moved into Georgia where it weakened to a tropical storm. The NASA/NOAA GOES Project created an animation showing the development of Hermine into a hurricane during the afternoon of Sept. 1.
Tropical Cyclone Gaston has weakened significantly, with its eye disappearing and clouds pushed to the northeast. Warnings have been issued for several islands in the Azores, including Flores and Corvo, Faial, Pico, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, and Terceira.
Hurricane Lester has moved into the Central Pacific Ocean, prompting new hurricane watches for Hawaii. The storm is expected to bring powerful thunderstorms and heavy rains to the islands on Saturday.
Hurricane Gaston is maintaining its eye despite a degraded satellite appearance, according to NASA. The storm is expected to weaken further as it approaches the Azores Islands, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 85 mph.
Tropical Storm Hermine strengthened and organized in the Gulf of Mexico, with intense storms detected by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission. Rainfall rates reached over 9.9 inches per hour in powerful storms southwest of the storm's center.
Tropical Storm Madeline has weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph, passing just south of Hawaii's Big Island. The storm is expected to continue moving west at 14 mph and weaken further over the next 48 hours.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission tracked Hurricane Lester as it continued through the Eastern Pacific Ocean, showing extremely heavy rainfall rates of over 7.1 inches per hour. The satellite also revealed a strong hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 140 mph and estimated minimum central pressure of 948 millibars.
Satellites show Hurricane Madeline has weakened from a Category 4 storm to a Category 1 storm as it approaches Hawaii. The storm is expected to bring tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall, and storm surge to the islands, with the potential for dangerous flash floods and mudslides.
Hurricane Gaston has a large cloudless eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms, according to NASA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm is moving northeast at 9 mph and may affect the Azores Islands later in the week.
NASA analyzed Tropical Depression 8 using infrared and visible light, finding cloud top temperatures exceeding minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The depression is moving northeast at 15 mph with a possible strengthening into a tropical storm later today.
NASA satellites captured images of Hurricane Lester as it weakened to a Category 3 hurricane on August 30. The storm showed signs of weakening due to decreased deep convection within its central dense overcast. Forecasters predict continued westward movement before the storm turns northwest.
Hurricane Lester is the fourth major hurricane of the 2016 eastern North Pacific hurricane season. It has strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph and is expected to move westward for the next couple of days.
Tropical Storm Madeline in the Central Pacific Ocean has strengthened into a hurricane, according to NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite imagery. The storm is showing signs of organization, with a well-formed eyewall and little vertical wind shear deformation.
Tropical Depression 9 has intensified in the Gulf of Mexico, with deep convection and intense rainfall observed. The National Hurricane Center forecasts strengthening and a possible storm surge for northern Florida.
Hurricane Gaston is a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph, located about 575 miles east of Bermuda. The storm is expected to move over decreasing sea surface temperatures and into increasing vertical wind shear, causing a gradual weakening.
Tropical Depression 8 formed off the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, with NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission providing detailed analysis. The depression was predicted to strengthen slowly over the next 48 hours, bringing heavy rainfall and isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches to far eastern North Carolina.
Tropical Storm Lester, the 12th named storm of the 2016 eastern Pacific Ocean, was analyzed by NASA's GPM core satellite. The storm showed moderate intensity bands of rain curving around its eastern side, with rainfall rates reaching over 54 mm per hour.
NASA's AIRS and Suomi NPP satellites are monitoring Tropical Storm Gaston's weakening position in the Atlantic. The storms expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours, with forecasters warning of increased winds and potentially tighter storm structure.
A tropical wave is bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to islands in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Caribbean Sea. The National Hurricane Center predicts that the system could develop into a tropical depression, posing danger to the Bahamas and southeastern United States.
Gaston became a hurricane on Aug. 25 with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, but heavy rain rates of around 50 mm/h were occurring near the center due to southwesterly wind shear. The storm's trajectory is expected to shift northwestward over the next several days as it battles strong environmental wind shear.
NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed Tropical Depression 13E with its Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument, indicating strengthening thunderstorms and cold cloud tops. The depression is expected to continue strengthening over the next couple of days, potentially becoming a hurricane.
Researchers analyze data from a survey of Gulf Coast residents to understand how their perceptions of hurricane threat vary depending on their gender, belief in climate change, and recent experience. The study found that those who have recently experienced severe hurricanes are more likely to perceive the increasing violence of storms.
Tropical Storm Gaston intensified in the Atlantic Ocean with rainfall rates reaching up to 141 mm per hour. The GPM satellite provided detailed measurements of precipitation, cloud heights, and storm tops.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured data on Tropical Depression Kay's remaining rainfall, which was limited to a small area. The storm had been devoid of deep convection and thunderstorms for about 12 hours when it faded from the record.
Tropical Storm Gaston formed in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean after a low-pressure area organized into a depression on August 22. By August 23, the system strengthened into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of near 50 mph and higher gusts.
Tropical Storm Fiona weakened significantly as NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured its image on Aug. 22. The storm's clouds were pushed east by strong westerly shear, leading to a decrease in organization and thunderstorm activity.
Tropical Storm Kay's strengthening is attributed to strong convection, with cold cloud top temperatures exceeding minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Forecasted to pass near Mexico, the storm will then weaken and turn westward into the Eastern Pacific.
Tropical Storm Fiona is strengthening in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, with maximum sustained winds of near 45 mph. The storm's movement and pressure are expected to continue west-northwest for the next couple of days.
Researchers warn that economic growth will not be able to counterbalance hurricane losses under unchecked global warming. Historical losses due to tropical cyclones have been found to increase less than linearly with a nation's affected GDP, but per capita income does not protect against hurricane losses.
Hurricane Earl caused extreme rain in southern Mexico, with some areas receiving up to 43.3 inches of rain. The remnants of the storm interacted with another weather system, forming Tropical Storm Javier.
Tropical Storm Howard is weakening due to cooler waters and increasing instability, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 45 mph. Forecasters expect the storm to become a remnant low in 24-36 hours, potentially sooner if organized convection redevelops.
Typhoon Nida made landfall just north of Hong Kong, bringing maximum sustained winds of 74.8 mph, and a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale. The storm has weakened to a tropical storm and is moving northwest towards inland areas where it is expected to dissipate.
Tropical Storm Earl has formed in the Caribbean Sea, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1,001 millibars. The storm is forecast to move west over the next couple of days, affecting Honduras and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Tropical Storm Frank weakened to a tropical storm on July 28, 2016, with winds decreasing from hurricane strength. NASA's RapidScat instrument observed sustained winds of near 30 meters per second north of the center.
Tropical Storm Frank is weakening due to its movement over colder waters and into a more stable air mass. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 65 mph with higher gusts.
Tropical Storm Georgette's remnants were captured by NOAA's GOES-West satellite, showing a swirl of clouds mostly north and west of the center. The post-tropical cyclone was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 35 mph.
Hurricane Frank showed a transition from weakening to strengthening phases, with cloud top temperatures warming on July 25 and cooling on July 26. The storm's winds were measured by NASA's RapidScat instrument, which found tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 70 miles.
Tropical cyclones Georgette and Frank in the Eastern Pacific Ocean show see-sawing strength, with hurricane Frank strengthening while tropical storm Georgette weakening. Maximum sustained winds for Georgette have decreased to near 70 mph, with further weakening forecasted.
Hurricane Georgette is a powerful storm with a clear eye visible on NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite image. The storm strengthened to a category 4 hurricane before weakening and becoming a remnant low in about 3 days.
Tropical Storm Georgette developed in the eastern Pacific Ocean, intensifying into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 45 mph. GPM data revealed extremely heavy rain and storm top heights over 14 km, indicating favorable conditions for cyclone formation.
Tropical Storm Estelle was transitioning to a post-tropical cyclone when NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured its visible image on July 22. The storm showed minimal convection and was moving west-northwest at 16 mph.
Tropical Storm Frank intensified as NASA spotted 'hot towers', powerful thunderstorms with intense showers and high rain rates. The storm's height and organization suggest a significant increase in wind speed and potential for becoming a hurricane.
Hurricane Darby weakened to a tropical storm on July 20 as it approached the Central Pacific Ocean. The storm was about 1,000 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 60 mph.
SMAP data showed Tropical Storm Estelle had the strongest surface winds near 30 meters per second, with weaker winds in the southern quadrant. The storm is expected to weaken due to cooler water and drier air.
Tropical Storm Estelle has a circular storm with two areas of strongest convection, indicating rising air that forms thunderstorms. The storm is strong and almost symmetrical but is being slowed by dry air in the mid-levels.
Hurricane Darby's strength is decreasing due to warming cloud tops, indicating a weakening circulation with strong convection. The storm is expected to become a tropical storm later today, with maximum sustained winds remaining near 75mph.
Tropical Storm Estelle is strengthening in the Eastern Pacific Ocean with NASA satellite imagery showing a developing eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The storm's cloud tops are near minus 80 Celsius, indicating strong convection and potential hurricane formation.