Research on hurricanes and tropical storms. Covers AI storm tracking, wind-damage assessment, warning systems, and Hurricane Hunter data.
Tropical Depression 9C formed in the Central Pacific on Dec. 31, with an elongated structure suggesting a weaker system. The depression is moving northwest at 3 mph, with little change in intensity expected due to strong easterly wind shear.
Researchers found that waves driven by moderate storms cause the most loss in salt marshes, not severe events like hurricanes. This knowledge brings new tools for managing and restoring wetlands, enabling predictions of erosion based on wind and wave climates.
Hurricane Sandra's rainfall was extensively studied using NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data. The analysis showed that the hurricane produced over 700 mm of rainfall in an area northeast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Tropical Cyclone Tuni lost its tropical characteristics and became extra-tropical as it moved southeast in the Southern Pacific Ocean. The storm's maximum sustained winds decreased from 60.4 mph to 40 mph, with heavy rain falling at a rate of over 1.4 inches per hour.
Hurricane Sandra, the latest major hurricane on record in the Eastern Pacific, is forecast to make landfall in Western Mexico. It is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 1-3 inches over Baja California Sur, with isolated amounts reaching up to 10 inches.
Tropical Storm Sandra formed on Nov. 24 and strengthened into a late-season hurricane, with cloud top temperatures indicating powerful thunderstorms. The storm is forecast to turn northward and make landfall along Mexico's west coast by Friday, Nov. 27 or early Saturday
Tropical Storm Sandra strengthened to 35 knots with intense convective storms dropping rain at over 80 mm per hour. It is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Nov. 25, with a well-suited environment for intensification due to warm ocean water and light vertical wind shear.
Tropical Storm Rick is being closely monitored by NASA's Aqua satellite as it moves west-northwest towards the eastern Pacific. The storm has maintained a minimal strength of around 35 knots with surface winds confined to a small area.
Tropical Storm Rick strengthened into a tropical storm on Nov. 19, becoming the 21st of the Eastern Pacific Ocean season. The storm joined an elite group of late-season storms, with only three tropical storms forming later than this date since reliable records began in the early 1970s.
Tropical Depression 21E formed southwest of Mexico's western coast on November 18. The storm is expected to strengthen and become a tropical storm by Thursday, with a turn towards the northwest.
NASA's GPM, RapidScat, and NOAA's GOES-East satellites observed former tropical cyclone Kate in the Northern Atlantic. The system exhibited intense storms with heavy rainfall and strong winds, peaking at category one hurricane strength on November 11, 2015.
Extra-Tropical Storm Kate rapidly intensified off the US East Coast, producing hurricane-force winds before transitioning to an extratropical cyclone. As it moves northeast, Kate's winds are expected to weaken over the next few days, eventually being absorbed by another low-pressure system.
Tropical Storm Kate is moving northeastward at 21 mph with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph, forecast to become a hurricane by night. The storm's center was located near latitude 30.2 North, longitude 74.7 West, 350 miles south of Cape Hatteras and 600 miles west of Bermuda.
Tropical Storm Kate forms in Atlantic Ocean near Bahamas, with NASA tracking its development and movement. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next two days, bringing potential heavy rain to the region.
Cyclone Chapala is approaching landfall in central Yemen, with the GPM satellite analyzing heavy rain and wind speeds of up to 120mph. The storm is expected to weaken rapidly after landfall, dissipating by November 4.
Tropical Cyclone Chapala strengthened into a hurricane on October 29 after developing an eye feature, with maximum sustained winds reaching 65 knots (75 mph). The storm is expected to intensify and make landfall in northeast Yemen on November 2 as it passes Socotra island.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission tracked rainfall within Storm Olaf, revealing high storm tops and sparse rain on the western side. The post-tropical cyclone weakened over cooler waters, eventually dissipating by October 28, 2015.
Tropical Storm Olaf is returning to its birthplace in the Eastern Pacific Ocean after leaving the Central Pacific. The storm, which formed on October 14, has been weakening and is expected to continue moving eastward.
NASA's RapidScat instrument gathered wind speed and direction data on the storm's remnants over the western Gulf of Mexico. The data showed strongest sustained winds near 80.5 mph/129.6 kph north and west of the center, contributing to heavy rainfall and flash flooding in Texas and other Gulf Coast states.
Hurricane Olaf remains a major hurricane with sustained winds near 115 mph, moving northward towards the Hawaiian Islands. Swells generated by the storm will produce life-threatening surf along east-facing shores.
Hurricane Patricia intensified rapidly off Mexico's southwestern coast, breaking records for the strongest Eastern North Pacific hurricane. NASA satellites and instruments tracked its rapid intensification, revealing frigid cloud top temperatures that enabled heavy rainfall.
Hurricane Patricia broke records as the strongest eastern North Pacific hurricane on record, with a minimum central pressure of 880 millibars and maximum sustained winds near 200 mph. The storm is expected to produce catastrophic impacts in southwestern Mexico, including life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
The 26th Northwestern Pacific Tropical Depression formed on October 22, 2015, near Wake Island. It had maximum sustained winds of 28.7 mph and was moving north-northeast at 23.0 mph.
Tropical Storm Patricia produced lopsided heavy rains along the Mexican coast, with the western side receiving most of the moderate to heavy rainfall. The storm intensified into a hurricane on October 22, bringing warnings and watches for several states.
RapidScat measured sustained winds of over 80 mph near the center of Hurricane Olaf, with tropical storm force winds extending up to 155 miles from the center. The hurricane is forecast to move slowly northward, bringing life-threatening surf to Hawaiian Islands
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) analyzed rainfall rates in Category 4 Hurricane Olaf, with rain falling at over 71.5 mm/hour in the eye wall and 56.8 mm/hour in scattered rain bands on the western side.
The Eastern Pacific Ocean's twentieth tropical depression of the season developed into Tropical Storm Patricia, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. The storm is forecast to approach the Mexican coast on Friday, bringing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Hurricane Olaf strengthened to a Category four hurricane on October 20 with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph. The storm is expected to remain major for the next couple of days before curving northeast and away from Hawaii by Friday, October 23.
Hurricane Olaf has strengthened into a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching near 115 mph, forecast to cross into the Central Pacific basin tonight. The storm is expected to curve northwest and move parallel from Hawaii, posing potential threat to the region.
Tropical Depression 19E continues to move through the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with poorly organized cloud patterns and a small area of deep convection. The depression is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm later this week.
Tropical Depression 19E is showing signs of organization in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with a large area of convection near its center. The depression is forecast to become a tropical storm later today and a hurricane over the weekend.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captures infrared imagery of Tropical Storm Nora, revealing warming cloud top temperatures indicating less uplift in the air and a weaker storm. The storm is expected to continue moving northwestward at 7 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph.
A rare tropical depression has formed exactly between Baja California and Hawaii, with NASA detecting its formation using NOAA's GOES-West satellite. The system is moving westward at 14 mph and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday, October 11.
The remnants of former Hurricane Oho are bringing strong southeasterly winds, damaging gusts, and heavy rain to western Canada and Washington state. Weather alerts have been issued for areas such as British Columbia, Haida Gwaii, and western Washington.
Tropical Storm Oho weakened over cool waters and transitioned into an extra-tropical cyclone with strong wind shear, affecting its path. The storm moved over very cool waters near 22 Celsius, which is below the minimum temperature required to maintain intensity.
Hurricane Joaquin's infrared data revealed the storm was transitioning to a post-tropical cyclone due to weaker storms and less uplift in the air. The system lacked sufficient organized deep convection to qualify as a tropical cyclone.
Choi-Wan, a powerful storm, lost its tropical characteristics and became an extra-tropical cyclone as it moved over cooler waters near the Kuril Islands. The storm maintained hurricane-force winds, with maximum sustained winds near 60 knots (69 mph/111.1 kph), while moving north at 38 knots (44.8 mph/72.2 kph) towards Japan.
Hurricane Oho appears to have extremely long arms in imagery from NOAA's GOES-West satellite, drawing moisture northeast along a stationary front to the storm's northeast. The storm is weakening due to cooler waters and warming cloud tops indicating less uplift in the air.
NASA used AIRS instrument to track Hurricane Joaquin's movement from October 1-6, showing its intense rainfall and flooding in South Carolina. The storm's cloud tops reached temperatures as low as -81F/-63C/210K, producing heavy rain.
NASA and NOAA satellites tracked Hurricane Joaquin's movement through the northern Atlantic, revealing powerful thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures of -63F/-53C. Swells generated by the storm will continue to affect Bermuda and the US Northeast coast.
Hurricane Oho intensified into a hurricane on October 6, with extremely cold cloud top temperatures of -63F (-53C), indicating powerful storms capable of generating heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to turn towards the northeast and speed up late in the day.
Tropical Storm Oho formed near Hawaii on October 3, with strongest winds detected on its southeastern side. The storm is expected to intensify and move northeast, potentially affecting the US.
NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites captured infrared data on October 5, revealing powerful thunderstorms with cold cloud tops near Hurricane Joaquin. The storm maintained its comma shape as it brought heavy rains and strong winds to Bermuda.
NASA imagery suggests Hurricane Joaquin's strongest winds are in the north and northwestern quadrants, stronger than 36 meters per second. The hurricane is currently a category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds near 130 mph.
Hurricane Joaquin strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane on October 1, with satellite imagery showing powerful thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures over -63F. The National Hurricane Center forecasted the storm's track, predicting it will impact the central Bahamas and possibly Long Island, New York.
NASA satellites tracked Hurricane Joaquin's internal precipitation structure and heavy rainfall patterns, providing valuable data for forecasters. The storm reached Category 3 status on October 1, with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph and a minimum central pressure of 942 millibars.
Tropical Depression Marty's winds had diminished to near 30 mph with higher gusts, leaving the southwestern coast of Mexico. The storm then degenerated into a remnant low pressure area, forecast to dissipate in a day or so.
NASA's Aqua satellite tracked Tropical Depression Marty over southwestern Mexico's coast as it slowly left the area. The storm still maintained a circular appearance despite weakening, bringing heavy rain and ocean swells that could produce life-threatening flash floods.
Hurricane Joaquin strengthened into a hurricane after NASA satellites gathered data on its heavy rainfall and cloud height. The Global Precipitation Measurement satellite captured images of the storm's intense rain and convective towers, indicating its potential for intensification.
The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Niala were captured in a NASA infrared satellite image taken on September 29, 2015. The storm had ceased to qualify as a tropical cyclone by the time it was located approximately 405 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii and moving west-northwest.
Tropical Storm Marty is being closely monitored by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, which has detected substantial areas of rain on the eastern half of the storm. Heavy rainfall is expected to be a major threat to residents in western Mexico, with estimated amounts ranging from 2-12 inches.
Tropical Depression 11 strengthened into Tropical Storm Joaquin despite experiencing vertical wind shear, according to NASA's Aqua satellite data. The storm's elongated shape is attributed to the strong winds, but research suggests that high-level storms can generate heavy rain and strengthen.
Researchers found a dramatic increase in major storm occurrence along the New York City and New Jersey coast over the last 1,000 years. The combined effects of sea-level rise and changing hurricane characteristics have raised the likelihood of devastating flooding.
Tropical Storm Niala has weakened to a tropical depression, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. The storm is expected to continue moving west-southwest towards Hawaii, with additional weakening forecasted over the next couple of days.
Tropical Storm Marty is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds along the Mexican west coast, posing a threat of flooding and mudslides. The storm's maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph, with higher gusts and estimated central pressure at 990 millibars.
NASA's RapidScat instrument tracked the waning winds of Tropical Storm Ida on September 25, 2015, pinpointing the strongest sustained winds in the southeastern quadrant. The storm eventually became a remnant low-pressure area, moving westward at 5 mph before dissipating.
Researchers found that the return period for a storm producing a surge of 2.81 meters or greater has been reduced from 3,000 years to just 130 years since human-caused climate change began. This increase in storm surges is attributed to rising sea levels and more intense tropical storms.
Tropical Storm Niala formed after experiencing wind shear, according to NASA's Aqua satellite data. The storm moved through warm waters and intensified into a tropical depression before strengthening into a tropical storm.
Tropical Storm Ida is a somewhat shapeless system with wind shear affecting its structure. The storm is moving eastward and expected to turn northward by tonight, followed by northwestward motion.
Tropical Storm Malia was on a northwesterly track, moving away from the Hawaiian Islands on Sept. 22. Satellite imagery showed a span of 250 nautical miles between the storm's center and strongest thunderstorms.