Research on hurricanes and tropical storms. Covers AI storm tracking, wind-damage assessment, warning systems, and Hurricane Hunter data.
A recent Texas A&M University study reveals that hurricanes can intensify by 50% faster when passing over large areas of fresh water, making them more devastating. The research analyzed Tropical Cyclones for the decade 1998-2007 and found a significant correlation between freshwater regions and increased storm intensity.
NASA is monitoring four tropical systems across the Atlantic, including Tropical Depression Ernesto, which is generating heavy rainfall over Mexico's mountains. Meanwhile, the remnants of Tropical Storm Florence are lingering near Puerto Rico, while Tropical Depression 7 and System 93L may develop into new cyclones in the coming days.
Tropical Storm Gilma has maximum sustained winds near 65 mph, expected to weaken due to vertical wind shear. A low pressure area formerly known as Tropical storm Ernesto has a 60% chance of developing into a tropical depression in the Eastern Pacific.
Hurricane Gilma showed concentrated areas of very cold cloud tops with temperatures as low as -63F (-52C), indicating powerful thunderstorms. The storm is moving towards cooler waters, expected to weaken over the next day.
Heavy rainfall and high thunderstorms are expected from NASA's observations of Tropical Storm Ernesto, with estimated totals of 12 inches in isolated areas. The storm's center is surrounded by strong storms, producing cloud top temperatures as cold as -63F (-52C).
Tropical Storm Ernesto has its strongest thunderstorms on the eastern and northern sides of the storm. The area of strongest storms has expanded during the morning hours of August 7, wrapped around the center of circulation.
Tropical Storm Florence developed over the eastern Atlantic, strengthened briefly, and then weakened due to dry air and Saharan dust. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared images of the storm on August 4 and 5, showing a larger spiraled storm with diminishing thunderstorms.
Tropical Storm Ernesto is strengthening with NASA tracking its progress, revealing strong thunderstorms and deep convection on August 5. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph on August 5, and it continued to strengthen after passing over the Aqua satellite.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Ernesto as it approached the Lesser Antilles on August 2, 2012. The storm brought maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and a wind gust in Saint Lucia during the morning of August 3.
A NASA satellite has spotted a developing Atlantic tropical low with strong, high thunderstorms indicating organization and strength. The system, System 99L, is forecast to have a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next two days.
NASA's Aqua satellite data shows Fabio with very little strong convection and heavy rainfall, moving north of its center. Sea surface temperatures are too cold to support a tropical cyclone, and the storm is expected to dissipate in a couple of days.
Tropical Storm Fabio is expected to bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to southern California as it approaches the coast. NASA's Aqua satellite data indicates the storm has weakened due to cooler ocean temperatures.
Remnants of Hurricane Emilia appear as a light swirl of clouds about 800 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west at close to 20 mph. Conditions are not favorable for re-development, and the storm is expected to weaken to depression status in cooler waters.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument captured a visible image of Hurricane Emilia on July 12, revealing an eye with high clouds overhead. Infrared data from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument showed powerful thunderstorms and cold cloud tops surrounding the eye of the hurricane.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Daniel are visible on satellite imagery as a ghost-like swirl of clouds, heading towards Hawaii. The system is forecast to pass south of the state without affecting it.
Hurricane Emilia has weakened to a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, as it moves west-northwest at 10 mph.
Cloud top temperatures around Hurricane Emilia's eye were measured to be colder than -94F, indicating high-energy storms. NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites tracked the hurricane's rapid strengthening and weakening phases.
NASA's GOES-15 satellite captured an image of three tropical systems chasing each other in the eastern Pacific Ocean, with Tropical Storm Daniel and Hurricane Emilia at the center. The system is expected to weaken to tropical depression status by July 11.
Two hurricanes, Daniel and Emilia, are being tracked by NASA's TRMM satellite, which showed intense rainfall in Emilia's northwestern quadrant. Hurricane-force winds extend only 25 miles from the center of both storms, with Emilia expected to intensify further
NASA's TRMM satellite revealed heavy rain falling around the southern periphery of Tropical Storm Daniel's center, reaching rates of over 2 inches/50 mm per hour. The storm is moving westward into the open waters of the eastern Pacific, with maximum sustained winds increasing to 65 mph.
Tropical Storm Debby caused widespread flooding and heavy rain in Florida, with the highest rainfall totals exceeding 380 mm (~15 inches). The storm's effects were felt well away from its center, resulting in an outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern Florida.
A study by Princeton University researchers reveals that expectant mothers who experienced a hurricane or major tropical storm during pregnancy had children at elevated risk for abnormal health conditions at birth. The study controlled for other factors and found increased risk following exposure to weather-related stressors in the fir...
Debby has weakened due to interactions with land, losing organization and moving towards the Atlantic Ocean. The storm brought heavy rain and flooding to northern Florida, causing damage to Interstate 10.
NASA's Aqua satellite data revealed that sea surface temperatures of 290 Kelvin (62°F) in the area where Chris is located were not sufficient to maintain its strength. As a result, Chris weakened and became a post-tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph.
Tropical cyclone System 96L is intensifying off the Yucatan Peninsula, with a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression by weekend. NASA predicts heavy rains and localized flooding along US Gulf Coast.
CYGNSS will study tropical cyclones' formation and intensification by analyzing ocean surface properties, atmospheric thermodynamics, and radiation. The mission aims to advance hurricane forecasting and tracking methods.
Hurricane Chris became the first storm of the Atlantic season to reach hurricane strength on June 21, 2012, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Forecasters expect it to weaken as it moves into stable air and cooler waters, eventually becoming a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Chris formed on June 19, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an image just before it reached tropical storm strength. The storm exhibited a 'tail' shape due to a band of thunderstorms wrapping around its center, giving it a comma-like appearance.
A two-year grant from NOAA, NASA, NSF, and DOE will help the University of Miami improve seasonal climate predictions for severe floods or droughts in South Florida. The team aims to establish a comprehensive multi-model prediction system available in real-time to all sectors.
Hurricane Carlotta has intensified, with powerful high thunderstorms almost 10 miles high, and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flooding to Mexico. The storm is forecast to make landfall in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas.
Tropical Storm Carlotta has bitter cold cloud tops, indicating strong thunderstorms and high winds. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, bringing heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides to the Pacific coast of Mexico.
A study found that baby names with popular phonemes in previous years became more popular, demonstrating a connection between cultural evolution and name popularity. The researchers also discovered a correlation between hurricane names and baby names, highlighting the influence of exposure on cultural trends.
The Marine Technology and Life Sciences Seawater Complex will study coastal structures, weather phenomena, and marine life impacting human health. The facility features a wind-wave-storm surge simulator capable of generating Category 5 hurricane force winds.
A Rice University study identifies over a dozen Gulf Coast bridges at risk of severe damage in a hurricane with stronger winds than Hurricane Ike. The research helps public safety officials plan emergency responses and identify potential fixes for existing bridges.
NASA's Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) mission will deploy two Global Hawk aircraft to study hurricane formation and intensity changes. The aircraft will sample the environment of storms and measure winds, precipitation, and other factors to improve hurricane prediction.
Tropical Storm Beryl formed off the Carolina coast and was monitored by NASA satellites. The storm made landfall near Jacksonville, Florida, causing heavy rainfall and dangerous surf conditions in nearby areas.
Hurricane Bud is expected to make a quick landfall in western Mexico before turning back to sea, bringing heavy rainfall and severe flooding to the region. The storm's slow movement may result in life-threatening flash floods and mudslides as it moves over Mexico's rugged coastal terrain.
Bud has become the first hurricane of the eastern Pacific Hurricane Season, with NASA satellites providing key imagery and data. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and life-threatening surf conditions to southwestern Mexico.
Post-tropical storm Alberto's remnants interact with a cold front off the US East coast, moving northeast. The weak circulation dissipates by May 25, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Heavy rainfall and intensification signs were observed in Tropical Storm Bud by NASA's TRMM satellite. The storm is heading northwest at 9 mph with sustained winds near 65 mph, expected to slow down and turn north-northeast by Friday.
The NSF grant will support ensemble climate simulations and data sharing to improve environmental and storm modeling. This project aims to enhance the performance of NOAA's SLOSH model for predicting storm surge generated by hurricanes and tropical storms.
NASA satellites captured Tropical Storm Bud in the eastern Pacific Ocean on May 21 and May 22, revealing a well-formed storm. Forecasters expect Bud to strengthen into a hurricane due to light wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures.
Tropical Storm Alberto formed on May 19, 2012, off South Carolina's coast, with NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites monitoring its development. The storm strengthened to 50 mph by Sunday, but then weakened to 40 mph by Monday morning.
The TRMM satellite's Precipitation Radar instrument provided a three-dimensional profile of precipitation up to 20km height, revealing powerful storm towers around the storm's center reaching 15km. Tropical Storm Koji was predicted to strengthen into a hurricane with peak winds of 70kts, but will weaken soon after.
Researchers from Princeton University and MIT found that projected increases in sea level and storm intensity brought on by climate change would make devastating storm surges more frequent. They developed a simulation tool that can predict the severity of future flooding an area can expect.
A low-pressure area in the Gulf called System 90L is being watched for possible development into a subtropical depression, although chances are now considered slim. The system is expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall and gusty winds to northern Cuba, the Florida Keys, and south Florida.
A 2004 hurricane provided a rare opportunity for scientists to study the founder effect, a concept that describes the loss of genetic variation in new populations. The study found that both natural selection and the founder effect played roles in shaping the lizard population's characteristics.
A recent study by Princeton researchers found that Hurricane Katrina survivors continued to experience poor mental health nearly five years after the storm. The study, which tracked low-income mothers in the New Orleans area before and after the disaster, showed a persistence of high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms.
Tropical Storm Ethel is intensifying due to warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 35 knots (40 mph) on January 19.
Research suggests that small amounts of trauma can help individuals develop resilience, contrary to the common notion that traumatic experiences are always detrimental. People who have experienced some negative life events tend to have better outcomes than those with no adverse experiences or those with excessive adversity.
A new article explores how people justify and defend corrupt systems, citing factors such as system threat, dependence, inescapability, and low personal control. The research sheds light on the conditions that make people resistant to change and open to acknowledging its necessity.
NASA satellites track Hurricane Kenneth's record-breaking path, reaching category three status with maximum sustained winds of near 145 mph. The storm is expected to weaken due to cooler sea surface temperatures and increasing wind shear.
Hurricane Kenneth formed as a tropical depression on November 19 and strengthened into a hurricane by November 21, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. The storm is expected to turn west and slow down, with heavy rainfall occurring around its center.
The GOES-13 satellite is monitoring two low-pressure systems: System 90E in the eastern Pacific with a 40% chance of becoming a tropical depression, and an elongated system in the central Atlantic with a 10% chance of development. The satellite imagery shows clouds and showers near the centers of circulation for both systems.
A Rice University-led team recommends building a floodgate across the Houston Ship Channel and adding new levees to protect densely populated areas. The report also suggests creating a 130-mile-long coastal recreation area to utilize wetlands as a natural storm-surge barrier.
Hurricane Rina is intensifying off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, with NASA satellite imagery showing stronger thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures indicating increased power. The storm is projected to make landfall in the hurricane warning area by Wednesday night or early Thursday, bringing heavy rainfall and dangerous storm surge.
A new issue of The Counseling Psychologist discusses the contributions of counseling psychologists to disaster research and response. The article highlights the need for a multisystem analysis and response, which counseling psychologists can provide.
A new study reveals that the albedo effect plays a crucial role in the climatic significance of forest disturbances, with some cases providing cooling while others magnify concerns about warming. Forests can either act as carbon sinks or sources depending on the disturbance type and severity.
Research finds clustered hurricane activity reduces damage to coral reefs and ecosystems, allowing for recovery time. Clustering of storms also benefits insurance companies by providing time to rebuild profits.
Hurricane Jova's eye appears as 'winking' to NASA satellites due to varying cloud cover. Infrared data reveals frigid cloud top temperatures of -80C (-112F), indicating tremendous storm power. The hurricane is expected to make landfall in Mexico tonight, bringing significant flooding and rough seas.