Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Researchers found that unexpected positive outcomes in cities, such as sports wins or sunny days, are correlated with a change in city mood and an increase in citizens taking risks like gambling. This effect is subtle but significant, with a predicted 2.5% increase in spending on gambling in reactive neighborhoods.
Tropical Storm Man-yi has a small area of heavy rain northeast of its center, with precipitation rates exceeding 30 mm/h, according to NASA's GPM mission. The storm is expected to maintain strength and eventually transition into an extra-tropical cyclone by Nov. 28.
Tropical Storm Man-yi showed a small area of intense rainfall northeast of its center due to moderate wind shear. The storm is expected to transition into an extra-tropical cyclone by Nov 28, maintaining strength for another day.
The GPM satellite has observed light rain occurring throughout the eastern half of Tropical Depression 33W, with heavy rainfall concentrated near the storm's center. The depression is moving west-northwest and will later enter the South China Sea.
Researchers analyzed data from over 185 ground stations and found that half of the world's measured precipitation falls within a 12-day period, set to become even more skewed under climate change. This uneven distribution could lead to increased flooding and damage associated with extreme weather events.
Recent rainfall in the Atacama Desert has caused widespread devastation among local microbial species, with 85% extinction rate reported. This study provides crucial information for understanding the microbiology of extremely arid environments and its implications for the search for life on Mars.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder geoscientists sheds light on the hidden world beneath our feet, revealing how rainfall affects the depth of the critical zone. The researchers found that a shallow critical zone forms under dry conditions, while a thick one forms in wet conditions.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that heavy rainfall in the Atacama Desert wiped out most microbe species, contradicting expectations of floral blooms. The research has implications for our understanding of microbial life on Mars and suggests that sudden water exposure can be lethal to microorganisms.
Researchers recreated Hurricane Harvey using computer models and weather data, finding that urbanization led to a wetter hurricane with higher flood peaks and more damage. The study highlights the need to consider urban development when calculating hurricane risk and preparing for hurricane damage and recovery.
Researchers found that recent hurricanes like Katrina, Irma, and Maria experienced increased rainfall of 5-10%, while projected future storms could have even more intense rainfall and stronger winds. A warmer climate may also alter storm structures, with the inner part robbing moisture from the outer edges.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission provided detailed insights into Tropical Cyclone Alcide's heavy rainfall, revealing convective storms dropping rain at rates of over 255 mm/h. The satellite data showed the most powerful storms were located in the western eye wall, reaching heights above 16 km.
A new study found that climate change drove the Harappans to resettle in smaller villages in the Himalayan foothills. The research, led by Liviu Giosan, suggests that changing weather patterns made agriculture difficult near cities, leading to a massive migration.
Tropical Storm Xavier weakened to a remnant low pressure area on Nov 6, 2018, with strong southwesterly vertical wind shear observed. The GPM core satellite analyzed the storm's precipitation structure, revealing powerful convective storms reaching altitudes of up to 11.1 km.
Tropical Storm Xavier has strengthened in western Mexico, bringing heavy rainfall and potentially severe flooding to the region. The storm is expected to weaken over the next few days, but not before producing significant swells along the southwestern coast.
Tropical Storm Yutu produced heavy rainfall over Luzon in the Philippines, but analysis from NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission showed little rainfall near its center of circulation. Heavy rainfall was found in powerful storms northwest and southeast of Yutu's center, with rates exceeding 183 mm/hour.
Hurricane Oscar has transitioned into an extra-tropical low pressure area, characterized by a loss of tropical characteristics and poleward displacement. The storm is expected to bring winds and rain to Ireland over the weekend of Nov. 3 and 4.
CloudSat flew over Typhoon Yutu on October 28, 2018, revealing a cirrus-free eye with an outward sloping eyewall. The storm was weakening due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions. The satellite's radar captured intense areas of convection and cloud-free areas underneath the northern portion of the cirrus canopy.
Typhoon Yutu's heavy rainfall was revealed by NASA's GPM satellite, affecting an area the size of Luzon. The storm's southwestern eye wall showed extreme precipitation falling at over 178 mm per hour.
Hurricane Willa produced heavy rainfall totals over 20 inches in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico's coast, with 15 inches in parts of Mexico and Southeastern Texas. NASA's IMERG data analysis revealed these extreme rainfall accumulations using satellite data from the GPM Constellation.
A University of Oklahoma meteorologist predicts severe droughts and intense rainfall events will become more frequent and long-lasting worldwide. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, uses standardized rainfall indices to compare event characteristics between regions and seasons.
Super Typhoon Yutu made landfall as the strongest storm to hit any part of the US this year, with peak rain rates of up to 269 mm/hr. The GPM satellite revealed an almost perfect ring of heavy to intense rain, indicative of an extremely powerful storm.
NASA's GPM satellite captured the eye of Super Typhoon Yutu passing over Tinian, with maximum sustained winds reaching 180 mph. The storm also brought extremely heavy rainfall, causing flash floods and potentially deadly surf conditions.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Vicente has weakened to a tropical depression and is bringing heavy rain with life-threatening flash flooding to parts of Mexico. The system's remnants are expected to produce 3-6 inches of rain, leading to landslides and mountainous terrain hazards.
Hurricane Willa is a category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph, expected to make landfall in western Mexico. The storm is forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge, wind, and rainfall to portions of west-central and southwestern Mexico.
Tropical Storm Vicente formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and moved west-northwest, bringing heavy rains to El Salvador, Guatemala, and southeastern Mexico. The storm is expected to weaken and dissipate near the southwestern coast of Mexico by Wednesday.
Hurricane Willa strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of about 160 mph, producing heavy rainfall over western Mexico, threatening life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on the remnants of Tropical Storm Tara, which had weakened to maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. The storm produced scattered thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit, posing a threat of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in Mexico.
Tropical Storm Tara's water vapor concentrations were analyzed by NASA's Aqua satellite on Oct. 16, indicating a high risk of heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding along the Mexican coast. The storm's slow motion and cold cloud top temperatures suggest a strong potential for severe weather.
Tropical Cyclone Luban made landfall in northern Yemen, bringing heavy rainfall and power outages. The storm's remnants lingered near the border with Oman, affecting regional weather patterns.
Heavy rainfall totals over 20 inches were estimated in less than a week along Hurricane Michael's track, with the heaviest accumulation occurring off the Yucatan Peninsula. IMERG data revealed frequent rainfall totals greater than 10 inches along the storm's path from October 7 to 12, 2018.
Post-tropical cyclone Leslie made landfall in Portugal, causing power outages and heavy rainfall, with the storm's remnants later affecting southern Spain and western Italy. NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured images of the disorganized low-pressure system, which was visible over the Iberian Peninsula.
NASA satellite imagery revealed heavy rainfall affecting eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the northeastern US, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission found the heaviest rainfall falling at a rate of over 1.6 inches per hour south of Long Island, New York.
Tropical Storm Sergio brings heavy rain to Baja California, Mexico, and southern Arizona, with cloud top temperatures reaching -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to weaken and move over northwestern Mexico before dissipating on Saturday.
Hurricane Michael has moved inland, with NASA tracking its movement and predicting heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods in the Mid-Atlantic States and coastal southern New England.
NASA's Suomi NPP satellite tracked Tropical Cyclone Titli as it intensified over the Northern Indian Ocean, forming a ragged eye surrounded by powerful storms. The storm is expected to make landfall over northeastern India, prompting JTWC forecasters to predict a recurve northeastward over land.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission analyzed Tropical Storm Sergio's rainfall in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Rainfall rates of over 2.2 inches per hour were measured north of the storm's eye feature.
NASA analyzed rainfall and structure of Hurricane Michael as it developed, forecasting a major hurricane for Florida landfall. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission revealed intense rainfall accumulation totals over the Caribbean Sea, with estimates reaching 12.6 inches in some areas.
Tropical Storm Kong-Rey experienced extreme rainfall rates near its center, with rain falling at over 1.8 inches per hour in two areas northwest of the storm's center. The storm is weakening and expected to transition into the Sea of Japan, taking a turn toward the northeast.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission analyzed rain rates in Hurricane Leslie, revealing light to moderate convective rainfall in the eye wall and over 1.8 inches of precipitation per hour on the northwestern side.
NASA's IMERG combined data from multiple satellites and visible imagery to create a composite picture of Tropical Storm Kong-Rey in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The heaviest rain fell around the center and northwest, with winds decreasing to 60 knots.
The GPM core satellite measured rainfall rates within Typhoon Kong-Rey, revealing powerful storms in the northeastern eyewall producing over 1.4 inches of rain per hour. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reports the storm is moving north-northwest towards Okinawa and Japan.
Tropical Depression Rosa's remnants brought heavy rainfall potential to east central Arizona on Oct. 2, with the strongest storms located over the region according to NASA's infrared view.
Hurricane Walaka strengthened into a powerful hurricane with intense convective storms and rainfall rates of up to 6.5 inches per hour. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission's data revealed a well-organized storm with rapid intensification forecasted through Tuesday.
Hurricane Rosa is weakening as it approaches the US southwest, with its clouds and rains stretching into Arizona. Infrared data shows that rainfall potential is high, and the storm's cloud tops are as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tropical Storm Kirk brought intense rain to the Leeward Islands on September 28, with the heaviest downpours recorded near its center. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected hourly rainfall rates of up to 4 inches per hour, posing a risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Tropical Storm Kirk is regenerating in the Lesser Antilles, bringing intense convective activity and heavy rainfall. The NASA GPM core satellite detected strong radar echoes of over 60 dBZ, indicating intense precipitation falling at rates of over 69 mm/h.
Tropical Storm Rosa is organizing in the Eastern Pacific with improved convective banding features. The storm has the capability to generate heavy rainfall due to cold cloud top temperatures near -80°F.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission provided an analysis of super typhoon Trami's heavy rainfall, including rates of over 120 mm per hour within intense storms. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center used GPM data to evaluate the storm's eyewall replacement cycle and predict its future movement.
Climate change is already affecting US national parks, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the rest of the country. Without action, small mammals and plants may be driven to extinction by the end of the century. Reducing emissions could limit temperature increases in national parks.
NASA used data from Super Typhoon Mangkhut to create a detailed map of the typhoon's rainfall. The analysis revealed heavy precipitation totals, including areas with over 700 mm of rain, and showed the storm's path through the western Pacific Ocean.
Fading Post-Tropical Cyclone Florence reveals strongest thunderstorms in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit are associated with heavy rainfall.
Florence brought massive rainfall to the Carolinas, exceeding 30 inches in some areas, causing record or major flooding along many rivers. The storm's heavy rainfall caused widespread damage and at least 20 fatalities.
Typhoon Mangkhut made landfall in southern China's Guangdong province on Sept. 16, triggering a Red Alert and heavy rainfall. The storm brought strong winds of 92 mph/148 kph and surges up to 3 meters around Hong Kong.
Post-tropical cyclone Helene is affecting Ireland and the United Kingdom with widespread cloud cover and showers. The U.K. Meteorological Service has issued a Yellow Alert for several regions due to expected windy weather with gusts reaching 50-60 mph.
Tropical Storm Helene is battling wind shear, causing a Tropical Storm Warning for the Azores Islands. Wind shear is weakening the storm's rotation and pushing strongest storms northeast of the center.
Wind shear is affecting Tropical Storm Isaac, causing its circulation center to be displaced and potentially weakening the storm. The satellite data reveal a small area of coldest cloud top temperatures off-center, which can generate heavy rainfall.
Tropical Depression Olivia's cloud top temperatures reached -70F (-56.6C), capable of generating heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding. The depression is expected to weaken further by Friday, becoming a post-tropical remnant low.
Tropical Storm Olivia is causing heavy rainfall in Hawaii, with the National Weather Service predicting total accumulations of 5-10 inches in some areas. The storm's cloud tops reached temperatures as low as -63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong winds and potential for life-threatening flash flooding.
The Suomi NPP satellite observed Mangkhut's clear eye, enabling scientists to track the storm's movement. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the northern Philippines and potentially affect Hong Kong, China.
The GPM satellite analyzed heavy rainfall in Tropical Storm Isaac, revealing intense convective storms with rain rates over 140 mm per hour. The storm's structure was also observed in a 3D view from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.